Are Dietary and Serum Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs) Potential Contributors to Inflammation in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder characterized by metabolic and hormonal imbalances in women of reproductive age. Various studies have emphasized that a diet high in advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and high serum AGE levels may be associated with reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in PCOS. Recently, the role played by dietary and serum AGE levels in the pathogenesis of PCOS was emphasized. Methods: In this study, we investigated the relationships between dietary AGE intake and serum AGE levels, some metabolic parameters, and anthropometric measurements in individuals with PCOS and a control group of women without PCOS. A total of 87 women with PCOS (n = 43) and without PCOS (n = 44) of a similar age and with a similar body mass index were included in this study. We analyzed dietary AGE intake, serum AGE (CML, sRAGE, and MGO) levels, and markers of inflammation (TNF-alpha and hs-CRP). Results: The daily dietary AGE intake in the PCOS group (13,191.05 +/- 3360.12 kU/day) was higher than that in the control group (11,740.28 +/- 2940.61 kU/day) (p = 0.035). The serum CML/sRAGE ratio was found to be higher in the PCOS group (413.94 +/- 1114.79) than in the control group (143.24 +/- 124.71) (p = 0.002). The cut-off points for dietary AGE intake, serum CML, and the CML/sRAGE ratio levels, which may be associated with the risk of PCOS development, were determined to be 11,359.06 kU/day, 417.50 ng/mL, and 140.91 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Regular monitoring of serum AGE levels may reduce the health risks associated with PCOS. Moreover, to reduce dietary AGE intake in patients with PCOS, we recommend using steaming, boiling, poaching, or simmering with minimal water instead of dry-heat cooking methods.