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New mechanism identified in pathophysiology of PCOS
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Leukocyte telomere lengths are significantly associated with the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome, according to data. This potential new mechanistic role may have future implications in understanding the nature of the disease.
Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (n=698) demonstrated significantly shorter leukocyte telomere lengths compared with controls (n=611) after adjusting for age (0.764 vs. 0.876; OR=1.403; 95% CI, 1.15-1.712), according to data.
“In this study, we used an established and validated quantitative [polymerase chain reaction]-based technique to measure the [leukocyte telomere length] in a large sample size of PCOS patients and healthy controls to provide the first report that the ratio between telomere repeat length and copy number of a single-copy gene, the T:S ratio, is strongly associated with PCOS,” researchers wrote.
Data indicate mean telomere length in the leukocytes of patients with PCOS was comparable to controls (average age, 6.16 years older). Those with shorter telomere lengths (middle and lowest tertile) displayed significantly greater disease risk vs. those with the longest telomere length (highest tertile; OR=1.614; 95% CI, 1.262-2.066) after adjustments for age.
Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between the leukocyte telomere length and the level of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate in controls (P=.01), according to data.
These data suggest a new role for leukocyte telomere length in the pathophysiology of PCOS, and has potentially significant clinical implications regarding disease knowledge, researchers wrote.
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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