International Journal of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynaecology

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the prevalent & widespread hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age, marked by hormone imbalances, irregular ovulation, and ovarian cysts. Research strongly suggests that persistent, low-grade inflammation plays a crucial role in the development and worsening of PCOS. This chronic inflammation is linked to problems like insulin resistance, higher levels of male hormones (hyperandrogenism), and an increased risk of heart problems.
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a trusted measure of general inflammation and is commonly elevated in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This inflammatory state is often worsened by oxidative stress, which is an imbalance where damaging reactive oxygen species overwhelm the body's natural antioxidant defenses. Vitamin E, an essential fat-soluble antioxidant, serves as a measure of the body's overall antioxidant capacity and is known for its strong anti-inflammatory effects, helping to counteract this imbalance.
This study aimed to investigate the inflammatory status of newly diagnosed women with PCOS, measure their baseline Vitamin E levels in relation to CRP before they started any treatment. This case-control study, included comparing 88 women diagnosed with PCOS to 88 healthy women of similar age, their bood samples were analysed to estimate their serum CRP and Vitamin E concentrations.
The results showed that women with PCOS had significantly higher CRP levels (indicating more inflammation) and markedly lower Vitamin E levels (suggesting weaker protection) compared to the healthy group (both findings were statistically significant with p<0.001). This supports the idea that PCOS involves a greater inflammatory burden compromising balance between inflammatory and anti-inflammatory status. The clear inverse relationship between CRP and Vitamin E suggests that this imbalance might be contributing to the inflammation seen in PCOS. To conclude, the study highlights that women with untreated PCOS have high CRP and lower plasma Vitamin E levels, thus contributing to severity and progression of this condition. These findings emphasize the importance of considering them while managing PCOS.