The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder found in women of reproductive age and is characterized by both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. Women with PCOS commonly have insulin resistance, increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemi...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| author | Abrar Alhermi Heather Perks Varsha Nigi Noor Altahoo Stephen L. Atkin Alexandra E. Butler |
| author_facet | Abrar Alhermi Heather Perks Varsha Nigi Noor Altahoo Stephen L. Atkin Alexandra E. Butler |
| author_sort | Abrar Alhermi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder found in women of reproductive age and is characterized by both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. Women with PCOS commonly have insulin resistance, increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased cardiovascular risk, hepatic steatosis, infertility, and an overall reduction in physical and psychological well-being. Several previous studies have shown a causal association between PCOS and hepatic disorders, such as chronic liver disease (CLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where PCOS was identified as contributing to the hepatic features. Whilst it is recognized that PCOS may contribute to hepatic dysfunction, there is also evidence that the liver may contribute to the features of PCOS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding regarding hepatic involvement in PCOS pathophysiology, the inflammatory markers and hepatokines involved in the development of PCOS, and the role of genetics in the occurrence of PCOS. This review illustrates that PCOS and NAFLD are both common disorders and that there is both genetic and metabolic linkage between the disorders. As such, whilst PCOS may contribute to NAFLD development, the converse may also be the case, with a potential bidirectional relationship between PCOS and liver disease. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-215a1ccf7ea34298899e49f6a6a70e8d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj-art-215a1ccf7ea34298899e49f6a6a70e8d2025-01-24T13:24:59ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2025-01-011515110.3390/biom15010051The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature ReviewAbrar Alhermi0Heather Perks1Varsha Nigi2Noor Altahoo3Stephen L. Atkin4Alexandra E. Butler5School of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainSchool of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainSchool of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainSchool of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainResearch Department, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainResearch Department, Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Busaiteen, Adliya P.O. Box 15503, BahrainPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine metabolic disorder found in women of reproductive age and is characterized by both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. Women with PCOS commonly have insulin resistance, increased susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, increased cardiovascular risk, hepatic steatosis, infertility, and an overall reduction in physical and psychological well-being. Several previous studies have shown a causal association between PCOS and hepatic disorders, such as chronic liver disease (CLD) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), where PCOS was identified as contributing to the hepatic features. Whilst it is recognized that PCOS may contribute to hepatic dysfunction, there is also evidence that the liver may contribute to the features of PCOS. The purpose of this review is to discuss the current understanding regarding hepatic involvement in PCOS pathophysiology, the inflammatory markers and hepatokines involved in the development of PCOS, and the role of genetics in the occurrence of PCOS. This review illustrates that PCOS and NAFLD are both common disorders and that there is both genetic and metabolic linkage between the disorders. As such, whilst PCOS may contribute to NAFLD development, the converse may also be the case, with a potential bidirectional relationship between PCOS and liver disease.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/51polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)insulin resistancenonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)hepatokinesnon-coding RNA |
| spellingShingle | Abrar Alhermi Heather Perks Varsha Nigi Noor Altahoo Stephen L. Atkin Alexandra E. Butler The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review Biomolecules polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) insulin resistance nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) hepatokines non-coding RNA |
| title | The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review |
| title_full | The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review |
| title_fullStr | The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review |
| title_short | The Role of the Liver in the Pathophysiology of PCOS: A Literature Review |
| title_sort | role of the liver in the pathophysiology of pcos a literature review |
| topic | polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) insulin resistance nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) hepatokines non-coding RNA |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/15/1/51 |
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