Dysregulation of IL-6 and Iron Biomarkers as Potential Diagnostic Markers for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is one of the most common endocrinopathies in women of reproductive age group. A Case-control study is carried out in Kirkuk city from 10th of November 2022 to 10th of March 2023 for determination the relationship of ferritin, serum iron and interleukin-6 among PCOS women. The number of PCOS women under study were 60 women whose ages were between 15-45 years old. These patients admitted to obstetrics and gynecology unit at Gynecological and Pediatric Hospital in Kirkuk city. In addition, the control group consisted of 30 healthy volunteer females with regular menstrual cycles aged between 15 to 45 years. All PCOS patients and healthy control underwent full physical examination and anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and were asked to complete a general questionnaire. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated by using the formula: weight (Kg)/height (meters2). Blood samples collected from each women for measurement of interleukin-6 by Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and serum ferritin, by immunofluorescence and serum iron by manual biochemistry procedures. The average IL-6 level in PCOS women was (279.8±77.8 pg/ml), whereas the control group had a level of( 92.5±11.54 pg/ml). Based on the study findings, women with PCOS had significantly higher average serum iron levels compared to the control group (223.5±57.3 and 129.144.9 g/dl), serum ferritin levels were significantly elevated in women with PCOS (279.9±44.9 and 189.5 57.3 ng/ml), The Mean of IL-6 in PCOS women with BMI>25 (kg/m2) was (293.1± 81.8pg/ml) which is significantly higher than in PCOS women with normal BMI (231.9±18.9 pg/ml). The study showed that the serum iron and ferritin were elevated significantly in obese PCOS women (151.72±44.85 g/dl and 247.4±147.4 ng/ml) respectively as compared with non-obese PCOS women (140.61±35.08 g/dl and 228.7±38.2 ng/ml). High levels of iron, ferritin and IL-6 were observed in PCOS women as compared with healthy women specialty obese women with PCOS which highlight the importance of inflammation in PCOS and suggest that IL-6 levels could potentially serve as a biomarker for the condition. Additionally, exploring the relationship between IL-6 and other factors, such as hormonal imbalances and metabolic abnormalities, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of PCOS.