Metabolic and Inflammatory Adipokine Profiles in PCOS: A Focus on Insulin Resistance and Atherogenic Risk

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder commonly linked to insulin resistance (IR), low-grade chronic inflammation, dyslipidemia, and altered adi-pokine secretion. This study aimed to assess serum concentrations of key adi-pokines—leptin, adiponectin, visfatin, and resistin—in women with PCOS, stratified by IR status, and to examine their relationship with anthropometric, metabolic, inflammatory, and atherogenic parameters. A total of 150 women diagnosed with PCOS were divided into two subgroups: with IR (n = 76) and without IR (n = 74). Serum adipokines were measured using ELISA, and atherogenic indices (TG/HDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, and AIP) were calculated from fasting lipid profiles. Anthropometric data included body weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and waist-to-hip ratio. IR was evaluated using HOMA-IR, QUICKI, and the Matsuda index. Women with IR had significantly higher lep-tin, visfatin, and resistin levels, and lower adiponectin. Leptin correlated positively with HOMA-IR, body weight, and lipid ratios, while adiponectin showed inverse links to tri-glycerides, TG/HDL-C, and AIP. Resistin was positively related to IR indices, and visfatin showed a negative correlation with HDL-C and insulin sensitivity. These findings suggest that IR in PCOS is associated with a proinflammatory and atherogenic adipokine profile, potentially increasing cardiometabolic risk and guiding treatment approaches.