Metabolomic Profiling of Serum Biomarkers in Women with PCOS: Insights from an Untargeted Approach

BackgroundPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by metabolic dysregulation. Identifying serum biomarkers can enhance our understanding of its pathophysiology. This study employs an untargeted metabolomic approach to investigate metabolic alterations in PCOS.MethodsSerum samples were collected from 71 women with PCOS and 54 healthy controls. Metabolomic profiling was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to identify differentially abundant metabolites. Pathway analysis was conducted to determine key metabolic disruptions, and correlations between identified metabolites and clinical parameters were assessed.ResultsThe metabolomics analysis identified 24 upregulated, and 17 downregulated metabolites in PCOS compared to the controls. These metabolites mainly belong to glycerophospholipids, fatty acyls, sphingolipids, peptides, ceramides, and steroids. Pathway analysis indicated that these metabolites were enriched in pathways including bile acid biosynthesis, glycerolipid metabolism, tryptophan metabolism, the citric acid cycle, and fatty acid metabolism. Increased levels of branched-chain and aromatic amino acids suggested potential links to insulin resistance. Disruptions in bile acid metabolism pointed to altered gut microbiome interactions. Additionally, metabolites related to oxidative stress and mitochondrial function indicated metabolic dysfunction. Correlation analyses revealed associations between altered metabolites and clinical markers such as insulin resistance and androgen levels.ConclusionThis study reveals distinct serum metabolic alterations in PCOS, emphasizing their association with insulin resistance and inflammation. These findings highlight the potential of metabolomics in identifying novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.Keywords: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Metabolomics, Biomarkers, Mass Spectrometry, Insulin Resistance, Bile acids