Serum Ependymin-Related Protein 1 as a Potential Metabolic Biomarker in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Abstract

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder and is characterized by hormonal imbalance, obesity, insulin resistance, and lipid abnormalities. Ependymin-related protein 1 (EPDR1) is a novel protein associated to adipose tissue function and metabolic regulation. The purpose of this study was to analyze serum EPDR1 levels in women with PCOS and to determine their correlation with metabolic and hormonal parameters.

Methods: This case-control study included 50 women with PCOS and 50 healthy controls. Serum EPDR1 was measured by ELISA. LH, FSH, testosterone, and fasting insulin were measured using the cobas e 411 analyzer, while fasting glucose and lipid profile were measured using the cobas c 111 analyzer. BMI, WHR, LH/FSH ratio, and HOMA-IR were also calculated. Statistical analysis included independent t-test, Pearson correlation, and ROC curve analysis.

Results: Serum EPDR1 levels were significantly lower in women with PCOS than in controls (155.0 ± 68.0 vs. 245.0 ± 82.0 ng/mL, P<0.001). PCOS patients showed significantly higher BMI, WHR, LH, LH/FSH ratio, testosterone, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, and most lipid parameters, while HDL-C was lower. EPDR1 was significantly negatively correlated with BMI, WHR, fasting insulin, HOMA-IR, LH/FSH ratio, total cholesterol and LDL-C and positively correlated with HDL-C. ROC analysis showed that EPDR1 had moderate discriminative performance for PCOS (AUC=0.781).

Conclusion: Low serum EPDR1 is associated with PCOS and appears to be strongly linked with insulin resistance, obesity and metabolic dysregulation. EPDR1 may serve as a promising metabolic biomarker in women with PCOS.