ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND ANALYTICAL MEDICINE, vol.14, no.8, pp.696-700, 2023 (ESCI)
Aim: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a long-standing inflammation-related disease with increased levels of circulating pro-inflammatory markers. By
affecting inflammatory cytokine production, cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen (CTLA-4) polymorphism can alter the immune system and trigger
distinct disease states. The aim of the study was to investigate if CTLA4 polymorphism is associated with PCOS, and if so, (2) whether this situation influences
serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and TNF-alpha in PCOS.
Material and Methods: CTLA4+rs231775 gene polymorphism with IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined in 92 PCOS women and 88 healthy controls. Study
groups were further subdivided according to body mass index (BMI) and the degree of insulin resistance (IR), and comparisons were made within each study
group.
Results: The prevalence of the A allele of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs231775 was more frequent in PCOS women compared with healthy controls
[OR: 1.99, 95% CI:1.273-3.107, p =0.0023]. The heterozygous genotype was also shown to be strongly associated with PCOS development [OR: 3.041,
95%CI:1.604-5.766, p=0.0005]. Although TNF-α levels of PCOS patients were detected to be elevated, no difference was found in the study groups with
respect to serum IL-6 levels. In addition, no association was observed between CTLA4+rs231775 polymorphism and serum pro-inflammatory cytokine levels.
Discussion: The present study demonstrates for the first time that CTLA4+rs231775 gene polymorphism increases susceptibility to PCOS 2 times more in the
case of A allele carriage and 3 times more in heterozygous individuals, independent from the long-standing low-grade inflammatory disease state encountered
in patients with PCOS.