Investigation of the relationship between serum isthmin-1 levels and insulin resistance, metabolic and hormonal parameters in patients diagnosed with Polycystic ovary syndrome

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum Isthmin-1 (ISM1) levels, insulin resistance, and other metabolic and hormonal parameters in women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). A total of 60 female participants aged between 18 and 45 years were included in the study. The participants were divided into two groups: 30 women with PCOS and 30 healthy volunteers as the control group. The diagnosis of PCOS was established by an endocrinology and metabolism specialist based on the Rotterdam 2003 criteria. Venous blood samples were collected from all participants after 8 hours of fasting, and serum levels of ISM1, insulin, glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT, LDH), and hormones (FSH, LH, TSH, Cortisol) were measured. Insulin resistance was calculated using the HOMA-IR method. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 27.0, and a p-value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Serum ISM1 levels in the PCOS group were found to be significantly higher compared to the control group (p=0.007). In addition, HbA1c, insulin, free T4, ALT, LDH, and GGT levels were significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to controls (p<0.05), whereas HDL cholesterol levels were significantly lower (p=0.005). A significant correlation was observed between ISM1 levels and several metabolic parameters in the PCOS group. In conclusion, serum ISM1 levels were markedly elevated in women with PCOS, and this increase was associated with multiple metabolic and hormonal disturbances, particularly insulin resistance. Therefore, Isthmin-1 may represent a novel biomarker involved in the pathophysiology of PCOS. Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Isthmin-1, Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Parameters, Hormonal Imbalance