The endocrine
disrupting potential of Aluminium and other heavy metals in Poly cystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS): Case control study
Narayana S., Suchetha kumari N., Chandrika Anand, Shetty Prasanna kumar and Suresh
Babu SV
Res. J. Biotech.; Vol. 20(8); 214-218;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/208rjbt2140218; (2025)
Abstract
Toxic metals may play a crucial role in the etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome
(PCOS). These are omnipresent in the environment and linked to oxidative stress.
n=110 subjects were assigned to case and control groups. Blood samples were analyzed
to determine hormone levels, aromatase activity and heavy metals such as Aluminum(Al),
Cadmium(Cd), Lead(Pb) and Nickel(Ni). Additionally, oxidative stress markers, malondialdehyde(MDA)
and paraoxonase- 1(PON-1) were measured. The quantification of heavy metals was
carried out using Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICPMS/MS). Other
parameters were assessed through standard techniques. Statistical analyses including
Student’s ttest, correlation r, Chi-square tests and Multiple regression models,
were executed using SPSS version 19 software.
MDA levels were markedly higher in PCOS patients, measuring 1.53 ± 0.71 μM/L. In
the control group, it was 0.88 ± 0.20 μM/L. A significant inverse relationship was
identified between MDA and aromatase, whereas a positive correlation was noted with
testosterone and lead. Additionally, Al levels were raised in PCOS patients, averaging
74.72 ± 26 ppb, compared to 62.34 ± 20.11 ppb in controls. No significant variations
were detected for other metals. Importantly, Al exhibited a positive correlation
with insulin in those patients. PCOS patients had higher oxidative stress, mainly
induced by lead, which in turn negatively affected aromatase and resulted in hyperandrogenism.
In addition, aluminium exhibited a positive relationship with Insulin, implying
its contribution to the metabolic disturbances.
