Calpain-10 Polymorphism in Korean Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, and PCOS is known to be associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). PCOS has also been proposed to share a common genetic background with type 2 DM. The calpain 10 (CAPN10) gene is known to be associated with type 2 DM in several different population. We examined the association of CAPN10 gene polymorphisms and their influence on the metabolic abnormalities in Korean women who suffer with PCOS. Methods: One hundred sixty four women with PCOS and 325 control women were studied. The CAPN10 gene polymorphisms were genotyped by amplifying the genomic DNA. Anthropometric measures, a 75g oral glucose tolerance test and measurement of insulin sensitivity by the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique were performed. Results: The frequencies of CAPN10 UCSNP-43, UCSNP-19, UCSNP-63 and the haplotype combinations were not different between the women with PCOS and the control subjects. In the women with PCOS and who had the UCSNP-43 GA genotype, the post-load 90 minute plasma glucose level was significantly greater and the HDL cholesterol and insulin mediated glucose uptake were significantly lower compared to the women with PCOS and who had the GG genotype. Conclusion: The CAPN10 UCSNP-43 genotype might be responsible for insulin resistance, yet further study is required to confirm the role of this genetic polymorphism in the development of PCOS and the presentation of its disease features.