Thursday, 18 September 2025

Inflammatory Markers in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) with Special Emphasize on Interleukin-6 (IL-6) | Chapter 9 | Medical Science: Recent Advances and Applications Vol. 10

 

Chronic low-grade inflammation plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Although there is an overwhelming number of studies investigating inflammatory markers in PCOS, inconsistencies and disparities in findings have made it challenging for clinicians and researchers to draw clear conclusions and design future studies. This systematic review aims to synthesise recent evidence on key inflammatory markers in PCOS, with a particular focus on the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6), to provide greater clarity and guidance for clinical decision-making and research directions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases. Studies published between 2014 and 2024 were screened based on predefined eligibility criteria. Both observational and interventional studies that reported levels of inflammatory markers in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) were included. Data were systematically extracted, and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) for observational studies, the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and the ROBINS-1 tool for non-randomised controlled trials. A statistical synthesis of IL-6 levels was performed for the meta-analysis using a random-effects model in R. A total of 44 studies met the inclusion criteria for qualitative analysis and identified 94 biomarkers. The most commonly used biomarkers across the majority of studies, listed in descending order, are as follows: high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), CRP, adiponectin, IL-18, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-8, IL-1β, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), leptin, and vascular cell adhesion protein 1 (VCAM-1). Additionally, four case-control studies conducted in four countries (Taiwan, Russia, Spain, and Turkey) were included in the quantitative analysis, which involved 689 participants (PCOS group: n = 365; Control group: n = 324). The pooled mean difference (MD), calculated using the random-effects model, was 0.72 (0.47; 0.98) (p < 0.0001), indicating a significant increase in IL-6 levels among PCOS patients compared to the control group.  Compared to hs-CRP, a broad marker of systemic inflammation, VCAM-1 provides a more precise measure of vascular injury, making it a strong predictor of cardiovascular complications in PCOS. Unlike adiponectin, which has anti-inflammatory and insulin-sensitising properties and is reduced in PCOS, VCAM-1 is elevated, reflecting an increased risk of vascular inflammation and cardiovascular events. Chronic low-grade inflammation plays a crucial role in PCOS, and IL-6 levels in women with PCOS were elevated. Potential markers that can be investigated to assess inflammatory status in PCOS include hs-CRP, TNFα, CRP, adiponectin, IL-18, VEGF, IL-8, iIL-1β, SHBG, leptin, and VCAM-1. The results of this review suggest that IL-6 may serve as a valuable diagnostic and prognostic marker for assessing inflammation in PCOS.

 

 

Author(s) Details            

 

Bhavit Bansal

Research, Central Council for Research in Yoga and Naturopathy, Delhi, India.

 

Avelyn Thazhuthadath Kishore
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute, Thrissur, India.

 

Sasikala Kathiresan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Madurai, India.

 

Arzina Farook Ghachi
Department of Internal Medicine, Shroff Hospital, Vadodara, India.

 

Swetapadma Pradhan
Medical College, European University Faculty of Medicine, Tbilisi, Georgia.

 

Sheuli Paul
Department of Paediatrics, Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. D. Y. Patil Vidyapeeth (Deemed to be University), Pimpri, India.

 

Khyati Chaturvedi
Department of Naturopathy and Yogic Science, Sant Hirdaram Medical College of Naturopathy and Yogic Sciences for Women, Bhopal, India.

 

Mukul Singh
Department of Surgery, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Gorakhpur, India.

 

Sauvit Patil
Department of Molecular Neuroscience, Bristol Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, GBR, England.

 

Lalitha Soumya Johnson
Department of Biotechnology and Microbiology, Dr. Janaki Ammal Campus, Kannur, India.

 

Akshay V P
Department of Biomedical Research and Molecular Biology, Mansarovar Global University, Bhopal, India and Department of Biomedical Sciences, BioDeskINDIA Labs, Bhopal, India.

 

Delna N S
Department of Allied Health Sciences, Al-Azhar Medical College and Super Specialty Hospital, Thodupuzha, India.

 

Ajita Pillai
Department of Biomedical Sciences, BioDeskINDIA Labs, Bhopal, India.

 

Please see the book here :- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/msraa/v10/6254

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