Weight loss and vascular inflammatory markers in overweight women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk. The effect of weight loss on the vascular inflammatory markers plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) is unknown. Overweight women with (n = 14) and without (n = 13) PCOS of comparable age and body mass index undertook an 8-week weight-loss programme. Women with PCOS had elevated PAI-1, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 before and after weight loss compared with the controls. For all women, sVCAM-1 (P = 0.026) and sICAM-1 (P = 0.04) decreased with weight loss. Women with PCOS have elevated inflammatory markers, which are partially reduced by weight loss.