Serum Malondialdehyde and antioxidant enzymes as bioindicator of oxidative stress in women with PCOS at UITH, Ilorin

Several studies showed circulating oxidative markers being significantly high in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) women when compared with women without PCOS thus oxidative markers may be considered as potential inducer of PCOS pathogenesis. However some previous studies show inconsistent findings among PCOS patients hence, more studies are necessary to further investigate such relationships involving antioxidants and PCOS, especially in our clime where there is paucity of data relating PCOS and oxidative stress marker. Our aim therefore, was to determine the activities of oxidative stress markers in patients with PCOS. This prospective study was carried out on 45 female clients with PCOS aged between 27 and 50 years and their results were compared with 45 healthy age matched controls. The serum was used to estimate the levels of Malondialdehide (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), and Glutathione S-reductase (GSH), activities in both patients and controls. The data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The mean serum levels of SOD, MDA and GSH were statistically significantly higher in women with PCOS than in control. There was statistically significant positive correlation between Folicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Leutenizing Hormone (LH), SOD, MDA and Age. Higher serum MDA, SOD and GSH levels in PCOS patients compared with the controls in this study, similar to previous studies may be attributed to a compensatory response by the body's defense mechanisms to higher circulating levels of oxidants. No statistical significance difference in the mean catalase activity when PCOS patients were compared with controls. In conclusion, serum MDA and antioxidant enzymes are higher in PCOS patients, pointing to the fact that oxidative stress is more prevalent among these patients with PCOS, therefore it will not be out of place to evaluate with PCOS for oxidative stress, irrespective of their reproductive disorders.