Serum Apelin Level and Its Association with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Evaluating Correlations with Obesity in Iraqi Women

Abstract

Background:    One of the most current endocrine conditions influencing women in their fertile age is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It is a varied condition marked by hyperandrogenism, irregular ovulation, and polycystic ovary morphology, along with abnormalities in metabolism like obesity and insulin resistance. Apelin's function in controlling glucose homeostasis has been investigated, and it has been associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Apelin secretion is stimulated by insulin, whereas insulin secretion is inhibited and glucose utilization is stimulated by Apelin.
Objective:    To evaluate the role of Apelin in women with PCOS and its correlation with body mass index (BMI) as an obesity marker .
Methods:    Ninety-six adult women were involved in the study, sixty of them were diagnosed with PCOS compared to thirty-six healthy controls as an observational, case-control study. Upon interviewing participants one by one by the researcher, data like BMI were collected as a part of a structured questionnaire, blood samples were obtained. Apelin serum level were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis using a specialized kit.
Results:    The study found a markable increase in Apelin serum levels in women with PCOS group compared with controls with a P value of 0.001, and the descriptive statistic was mean±SD was 486.5±251.98 (pg/ml) while for control was 240.89±168.78 (pg/ml). Apelin had an area under curve of 0.819, which made it good as a diagnostic marker for PCOS in female patients, with a cut-off value of 206.32 pg/ml and sensitivity and specificity of 87% and 61% respectively.
Conclusion:    Apelin may represent a BMI‑independent marker of PCOS, underscoring its potential relevance in disease pathophysiology.
Keywords:    Apelin, PCOS, BMI
Citation:    Talib AF. Serum Apelin level and its association with polycystic ovarian syndrome: evaluating correlations with obesity in Iraqi women. Iraqi JMS. 2025; 23(2): 297-302. doi: 10.22578/IJMS.23.2.12