The exact pro-oxidant and antioxidant status in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is still not clear. Many studies suggest that polycystic ovary syndrome may increase risk for several conditions like type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, endometrial cancer and hypertension. To add a new insight to the question, changes in the erythrocyte lipid peroxidation products (MDA), glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E and activities of antioxidant enzymes super oxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase in erythrocyte, plasma glutathione – S – transferase (GST) and serum homocysteine levels were measured in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. This work was undertaken to assess oxidative stress and antioxidant status in patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its contribution to the risk of cardiovascular disease. The study was conducted in fifty-six patients & compared to controls. Erythrocyte MDA, GSH, ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E and activities of antioxidant enzymes SOD, GPX, catalase in erythrocytes, plasma GST and serum homocysteine were estimated in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome patients. These parameters were measured in fifty-six patients and compared to controls. It was observed that there was a significant increase in erythrocyte MDA levels, SOD, GPX and plasma GST activities and a significant decrease in erythrocyte GSH, ascorbic acid, plasma vitamin E levels and catalase activity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome when compared to controls. Serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in polycystic ovary syndrome patients than in the controls. The results of our study suggests higher oxygen free radical production, evidenced by increased MDA and decreased GSH, ascorbic acid, vitamin E and Catalase activity, support to the oxidative stress in polycystic ovary syndrome. The increased activities of antioxidant enzymes may be a compensatory regulation in response to increased oxidative stress. Increased homocysteine levels and decreased antioxidant capacity may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease in women with PCOS, in addition to known risk factors such as insulin resistance, hypertension, central obesity, and dyslipidemia.
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