IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein concentration in ovarian follicular fluid of women with unexplained infertility to PCOS during in vitro fertilization. (April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Hongyuan; Wang, Xinmei; Xu, Juan; Zhu, Yingjun; Chen, Xu; Hu, Yuanjing
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive immunology. Volume 138(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-04
• Subjects: PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome -- IL-18 interleukin 18 -- IL-18 BP interleukin 18 binding protein -- FF follicular fluid -- TNF- alpha tumor necrosis factor alpha -- CRP C- reactive protein -- FSH follicle stimulating hormone -- hCG human chorionic gonadotropin -- IVF in vitro fertilization; Polycystic ovary syndrome -- IL-18 -- IL-18BP -- Follicular fluid -- Overweight; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects -- Periodicals; Immunology -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunologie -- Périodiques; Immunology; Reproduction -- Immunological aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Electronic journals; 615.766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103083
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0165-0378

Abstract

Highlights: The IL-18 levels of follicular fluid were increased in PCOS women. The elevated FF IL-18 levels have no correlation with the serum IL-18 levels. The expression of IL-18 in the follicular fluid of the overweight PCOS patients was increased compared to the normal weight PCOS patients. The FF IL-18 and IL-18BP may have a local involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS. Abstract: The correlation between the concentration of interleukin (IL) 18 in follicular fluid and the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is unclear. Therefore, we tested the IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) levels in follicular fluid (FF) and serum in PCOS women undergoing reproductive measures and to explore their possibly correlation with PCOS. Serum and pooled follicular fluid levels of IL-18, IL-18BP and IL-18/IL-18BP ratios were evaluated in sixty patients with PCOS and sixty women with unexplained infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization. The FF IL-18 levels were increased in PCOS group than the CON group (p < 0.01), and the IL-18 levels were significantly higher in the FF than in serum in PCOS group. Furthermore, the elevated FF IL-18 levels have no correlation with the serum IL-18 levels. Additionally, the expression of IL-18 in the follicular fluid of the overweight PCOS patients was increased compared to the normal weight PCOS patients, while in the overweight patients, FF IL-18 was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. The FF IL-18 and IL-18BP may have a local involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS. The PCOS itself and overweight will aggravate the local inflammatory response in the ovary. Further studies are needed to elucidate this issue.