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ABSTRACT

Background: Apoptosis is defined as a programmed cell death that eliminates dysfunctional, damaged, and fulfilled cells as a result of a certain stimulus. PCOS, IR, ovarian hyperandrogenism, hyperinsulinemia, and alterations in follicular endocrine signaling may impact the activation, growth, survival, and atresia of follicles. As a result of this impact, polycystic morphology may be observed in the ovaries, follicle development may be inhibited, and anovulation may occur.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the apoptosis markers caspase-8 and cytochrome-c levels and PCOS patients.

Methods: Thirty female patients diagnosed with PCOS and 30 healthy volunteers were included in the study as a control group. Caspase-8 and cytochrome-c levels were measured by ELISA method in the sera of patients and healthy volunteers.

Results: 30 PCOS female patients and 30 healthy control group were included in the study. No difference was found between the caspase-8 and cytochrome-c levels of PCOS patients and the caspase-8 and cytochrome-c levels of the healthy control group. (p <0.092, p <0.473). The mean ages of the patient and control groups were similar (mean age of patients: 24, mean age of control: 25). In the patient group, there was no relationship between total testosterone and caspase-8 and cytochrome-c levels (p <0.276, p <0.291).

Conclusion: In polycystic ovary patients, the values of caspase-8, the apoptosis marker involved in the extrinsic pathway, and cytochrome-c, which is involved in the intrinsic pathway, similar to the control group. In order to investigate the relationship between PCOS and apoptosis, we suggest that apoptosis markers should be examined in the follicle fluids of PCOS patients.