Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

<b>Background:</b> Chemerin, an adipokine implicated in inflammatory, metabolic, and adipogenic processes, has been detected in high serum concentration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and seems to play a role in PCOS pathogenesis. Moreover, at present, no comprehensive an...

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Main Authors: Stefano Palomba, Giuseppe Seminara, Flavia Costanzi, Donatella Caserta, Antonio Aversa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Biomedicines
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/12/2859
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author Stefano Palomba
Giuseppe Seminara
Flavia Costanzi
Donatella Caserta
Antonio Aversa
author_facet Stefano Palomba
Giuseppe Seminara
Flavia Costanzi
Donatella Caserta
Antonio Aversa
author_sort Stefano Palomba
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background:</b> Chemerin, an adipokine implicated in inflammatory, metabolic, and adipogenic processes, has been detected in high serum concentration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and seems to play a role in PCOS pathogenesis. Moreover, at present, no comprehensive and critical document is available in the literature on this topic. The aim of the current study was to comprehensively review the latest available data to confirm the evidence about the association between chemerin and PCOS, highlighting its potential role as an upcoming biomarker and therapeutic target. <b>Methods:</b> A search in the literature of studies published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, focusing on research related to chemerin, PCOS, and PCOS-related features, comorbidities, and complications. A qualitative structured synthesis of key findings was performed according to the specific thematic areas selected, including and discussing clinical data on women with PCOS and experimental studies in humans and animal models of PCOS. <b>Results:</b> Available data confirm increased serum levels of chemerin in women with PCOS compared with controls, independent of obesity and body mass index. Chemerin is associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian dysfunction in PCOS individuals, inhibiting folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Experimental animal models underscore chemerin’s regulatory roles through its receptors within the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and peripheral tissues. High systemic levels of chemerin in PCOS may also be related to the increased risk of pregnancy complications, especially gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. <b>Conclusions:</b> The current review study highlights the role of chemerin in PCOS pathophysiology, severity, and associated comorbidities and complications, assessing its value as a future biomarker and foreshadowing its potential as a therapeutic target.
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spelling doaj-art-e411f05692d54b01a8780a44d1467fc32025-08-20T02:57:07ZengMDPI AGBiomedicines2227-90592024-12-011212285910.3390/biomedicines12122859Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic TargetStefano Palomba0Giuseppe Seminara1Flavia Costanzi2Donatella Caserta3Antonio Aversa4Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Grande Ospedale Metropolitano of Reggio Calabria, University Sapienza of Rome, 89124 Reggio, ItalyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, ItalyUnit of Gynecology, Sant’Andrea Hospital of Rome, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Roma, ItalyUnit of Gynecology, Sant’Andrea Hospital of Rome, University Sapienza of Rome, 00185 Roma, ItalyDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University “Magna Graecia” of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy<b>Background:</b> Chemerin, an adipokine implicated in inflammatory, metabolic, and adipogenic processes, has been detected in high serum concentration in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and seems to play a role in PCOS pathogenesis. Moreover, at present, no comprehensive and critical document is available in the literature on this topic. The aim of the current study was to comprehensively review the latest available data to confirm the evidence about the association between chemerin and PCOS, highlighting its potential role as an upcoming biomarker and therapeutic target. <b>Methods:</b> A search in the literature of studies published between 2019 and 2024 was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, focusing on research related to chemerin, PCOS, and PCOS-related features, comorbidities, and complications. A qualitative structured synthesis of key findings was performed according to the specific thematic areas selected, including and discussing clinical data on women with PCOS and experimental studies in humans and animal models of PCOS. <b>Results:</b> Available data confirm increased serum levels of chemerin in women with PCOS compared with controls, independent of obesity and body mass index. Chemerin is associated with insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian dysfunction in PCOS individuals, inhibiting folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Experimental animal models underscore chemerin’s regulatory roles through its receptors within the hypothalamic–pituitary–ovarian axis and peripheral tissues. High systemic levels of chemerin in PCOS may also be related to the increased risk of pregnancy complications, especially gestational diabetes mellitus and preeclampsia. <b>Conclusions:</b> The current review study highlights the role of chemerin in PCOS pathophysiology, severity, and associated comorbidities and complications, assessing its value as a future biomarker and foreshadowing its potential as a therapeutic target.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/12/2859chemerinhyperandrogenisminfertilityinsulin resistanceobesitypolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
spellingShingle Stefano Palomba
Giuseppe Seminara
Flavia Costanzi
Donatella Caserta
Antonio Aversa
Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
Biomedicines
chemerin
hyperandrogenism
infertility
insulin resistance
obesity
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
title Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
title_full Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
title_fullStr Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
title_full_unstemmed Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
title_short Chemerin and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Comprehensive Review of Its Role as a Biomarker and Therapeutic Target
title_sort chemerin and polycystic ovary syndrome a comprehensive review of its role as a biomarker and therapeutic target
topic chemerin
hyperandrogenism
infertility
insulin resistance
obesity
polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9059/12/12/2859
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