Evaluation of zonulin, galectin-3 and spexin levels in patients with polycysti̇c ovarian syndrome and investigation of their efficacy in determining insulin resistance

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition with various clinical symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, symptoms of hyperandrogenism, and infertility in women at the reproductive age. Its incidence is around 6-10%. When studies on PCOS are examined, it is thought that insulin resistance is also an effect on the pathogenesis of the disease. Spexin is a newly described peptide hormone expressed in human endocrine and epithelial tissues. Studies in human tissues have shown that Spexin is overexpressed in normal human tissues (endocrine and epithelial tissues), which has shown indicated us that Spexin may affect on physiological functions in endocrine and other tissues. Zonulin is a eukaryotic protein that regulates intestinal permeability and plays a role in autoimmune diseases. Pathological conditions such as insulin resistance, irritable bowel syndrome and chronic fatigue syndrome and with increased intestinal permeability have been widely observed in women with PCOS. This suggests that increased intestinal permeability may influence the pathogenesis of PCOS. In conducted studies, Galectin-3, a member of the lectin family, is thought to have effect on cancer, immunity and inflammation as an important element of biological functions. In recent studies, Galectin-3 is thought to influence obesity, metabolic disorders and T2DM, but it still has not been fully understood. This study has been conducted on 78 women, 41 of whom were diagnosed with PCOS and 37 were healthy. Spexin, Galectin-3 and Zonulin levels of all individuals, as well as cholesterol, Triglyceride (TG), HDL cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels have been determined. Besides, Homeostatic Model Assessment for İnsülin Resistance (HOMA-IR) values have been calculated in order to determine insulin resistance. When obtained data has been investigated, significant differences have been determined in levels of the Spexin, Galectin-3 and Zonulin between PCOS diagnosed group and control group. It has been found that, in the PCOS patient group, determined Spexin level was low, Galectin-3 and Zonulin levels were high. Also, HOMA-IR levels has been found to be significantly high. Additionally, there has not been a significant difference between the groups in terms of lipid profile. Insulin resistance plays an important role in PCOS pathogenesis. Spexin, Galectin-3 and Zonulin are thought to be effective in determining insulin resistance and PCOS. It has been concluded that low Spexin level and high Galectin-3 and Zonulin levels can be used as new biomarkers to predict PCOS. However, it is thought that more studies should be conducted with more groups and participants in order to reveal the relationships between these parameters in a better and meaningful way.