Adipose Tissue Gene Expression Profiles in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Versus Controls

Adipose Tissue Gene Expression Profiles in Women With PCOS Versus Controls Matched for BMI

Adipose tissue is a central organ in mediating metabolic health. There is some evidence that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a degree of adipose tissue dysfunction which may negatively affect their metabolic health. The aim of this study was to assess transcriptomic profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissue of women with PCOS in comparison with a control population matched on the basis of age and body mass index (BMI). A secondary aim was to then relate these gene expression profiles to the biochemical environment.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Detailed Description

Adipose tissue is a central organ in mediating metabolic health. There is some evidence that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have a degree of adipose tissue dysfunction which may negatively affect their metabolic health. The aim of this study was to assess transcriptomic profiles of subcutaneous adipose tissue of women with PCOS in comparison with a control population matched on the basis of age and body mass index (BMI). A secondary aim was to then relate these gene expression profiles to the biochemical environment.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 10

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Ireland
  • Dublin, Ireland, 24
    • Diabetes Day Centre, The Adelaide and Meath Hosptial
  • Leinster
    • Dublin, Leinster, Ireland, Dublin 4
      • Nutrigenomics Group, University College Dublin

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 40 years (Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Women with PCOS and a control population of women matched for age and body mass index (BMI)

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Had a positive diagnosis of PCOS as defined according to the NIH criteria as chronic oligomenorrhoea (< 9 menstrual cycles per year) and clinical and/or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism, in the absence of other disorders causing the same phenotype. Clinical criteria included hirsutism with a Ferriman-Galwey score greater than 9, acne or male pattern alopecia; biochemical criteria included total-testosterone, androstenedione or dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) greater than the laboratory reference range.
• Were between the ages of 18 and 40

Exclusion Criteria:

• Were under 18 years or greater than 40 years old,
• Were non-Caucasian
• Were pregnant, lactating or trying to conceive
• Had a body mass index (BMI) <18kg/m2 or >50kg/m2
• Had a recent illness or any chronic illness likely to influence results
• Were taking hormonal contraception

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
PCOS-CSAT; Women with PCOS
Control-CSAT; Control population consisting of women without PCOS, matched for age and BMI with the PCOS cohort

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Transcriptomic profiling of subcutaneous adipose tissue of women with PCOS and age and BMI matched controls	Gene expression profiles from women with PCOS and controls matched for age and BMI were determined by microarray analysis of whole subcutaneous adipose tissue samples. Single gene changes as well as pathway analyses will be used to determine differently expressed genes and pathways between the PCOS cohort and controls.	Recruitment ran from Dec 2007-July 2008. Subjects attended the study location fasting on one occasion

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Measurement of biomarkers of metabolic health (lipid, inflammatory markers) in plasma of PCOS cases and controls	Biomarkers of metabolic health were assessed in plasma of women with PCOS and age and BMI matched controls. Lipid profile, hormonal profile, various key inflammatory markers and adipokines will be measured. Glucose and insulin concentrations will be assessed also. All parameters will be assessed following a 12 hour over night fast at the study location.	Recruitment ran from Dec 2007-July 2008. Subjects attended the study location fasting on one occasion

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: The Adelaide and Meath Hospital
• Collaborators: University College Dublin
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Helen M Roche, Dr, University College Dublin

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: December 1, 2007
• Primary Completion (Actual): July 1, 2008
• Study Completion (Actual): July 1, 2008

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: September 2, 2010
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 3, 2010
• First Posted (Estimate): September 6, 2010

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): September 6, 2010
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: September 3, 2010
• Last Verified: July 1, 2008

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: PCOS
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Pathologic Processes; Neoplasms; Endocrine System Diseases; Disease; Ovarian Cysts; Cysts; Ovarian Diseases; Adnexal Diseases; Gonadal Disorders; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Syndrome
• Other Study ID Numbers: DDC-UCD-ATCS