Fetuin-B as a biomarker for metformin response in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective study
Abstract
Introduction Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), affecting 5–15% of women of reproductive age globally, is linked to metabolic complications such as insulin resistance, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. While metformin helps manage PCOS, reliable biomarkers for monitoring treatment response are lacking. Fetuin-B, a liver-derived protein, has emerged as a potential candidate, as previous studies have shown increased fetuin-B levels in women with PCOS. This study examined whether serum fetuin-B levels correlated with metabolic improvements in PCOS patients undergoing metformin therapy, exploring its potential as a biomarker. Methods PCOS patients from the Fertility Center at the University Medical Center Mainz were assigned to two groups: metformin therapy (M-group) and alternative/no treatment (C-group), based on their metabolic profiles. Baseline and 24-week follow-up assessments included gonadotropins and reproductive hormone levels, metabolic markers (such as lipid profile, hepatic markers, fasting and stimulated glucose levels, and the respective derived indices), and anthropometric data, including fetuin-B. A multivariate regression analysis evaluated associations between metabolic changes and fetuin-B levels. Results A total of 62 PCOS patients were included (31 per group). At baseline, the M-group exhibited worse metabolic parameters compared to the C-group, including higher body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001), Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin…
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