Estimating the levels of Vitamin D, Interleukin-17A, Interleukin-22, and Interleukin-34 in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women during their reproductive period. The study aims to estimate the concentrations of interleukins (IL-17A, IL-34, and IL-22) and vitamin D levels, besides some hormonal indices in blood serum, and to explain their roles in PCOS pathogenicity in women. This study included ninety samples categorized into two groups: sixty samples from patients with PCOS and thirty samples from a healthy control group. Participants' ages ranged from 19 to 39 years. The PCOS diagnosis is made by a specialist doctor. Blood samples were collected from each woman, both patients and healthy controls, during the menstrual cycle (days 3 and 4) to measure hormonal profile levels of estradiol, testosterone, Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) and vitamin D using a mini VIDAS device. The ELISA technique was used to determine the concentrations of serum IL-17A, IL-34, and IL-22. The results indicated a significant elevation (P <0.05) in testosterone and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels in patients with PCOS compared to the healthy control group. In contrast, estradiol had a significant decrease in PCOS patients.  The vitamin D levels in patients with PCOS were lower than those in the healthy control group, without statistical significance. IL-17A and IL-34 exhibited no significant differences between women with PCOS and the healthy group. IL-22 concentrations were reduced in the patients compared to the healthy control group. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that a weak negative correlation was observed between IL-17A and testosterone (r = -0.25), as well as between IL-34 and other variables, including estradiol (r = 0.27) and testosterone (r = 0.28). In contrast, a weak positive correlation was identified between IL-22 and testosterone (r = 0.26). It can be concluded that there are no statistically significant changes in the levels of vitamin D, IL-17A, or IL-34 between patients and healthy controls. However, there was a notable decrease in the levels of IL-22 in patients with PCOS. A drop in IL-22, likely caused by hormonal changes and immune dysregulation, such as chronic low-grade inflammation, may help prevent and treat PCOS.