Antioxidant Status in Relation to Heavy Metals Induced Oxidative Stress in Patients With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a global health concern in women of reproductive age as 1/15 th women worldwide, is affected by this syndrome. PCOS is marked by hyperandrogenism, anovulation, menstrual abnormalities, and polycystic ovaries. Metals like arsenic, cadmium, lead and mercury are considered as systemic toxicants/human carcinogens and seems to have devastating effect on the human, even at minimal exposure. One of the probable etiological factor for PCOS identified is oxidative stress. In view of the probable association between oxidative stress, metal toxicity and PCOS, the present study evaluated the role of heavy metal in generation of oxidative stress among females. This prospective study included 106 women (56 women diagnosed with PCOS and 50women who were not diagnosed with PCOS as control women). There was no significant changes in the sociodemographic characteristics between the two groups except with the irregularity in menses and presence of acne. Levels of serum As, Cd, Pb, Hg increased and serum GSH and SOD levels diminished significantly in PCOS group compared to control at P <0.001. SOD was negatively correlated with As& Pb at P <0.05. Additionally, PCOS group exhibited a strong negative correlation between GSH and As ( P <0.01), GSH and Pb (p<0.05) and GSH and Hg (P<0.01). Furthermore, As correlated positively with increased levels of Cd, Pb and Hg among PCOS women. A significant positive correlation was determined between Pb & Cd and Cd & Hg at P <0.001. The outcome of the study provides clear insight of the role of metal induced oxidative stress that plays avitalrole in the pathophysiology underlying PCOS and suggestive of the use of these markers as prognostic tools to circumvent the consequences of high risk exposure to these metals among females.