Vitamin D status and inflammatory Interleukins in women with and without polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome: a cross-sectional exploratory study

Abstract

Background Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly referred to as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is an intricate endocrine disorder, defined by a constellation of hormonal, metabolic, and reproductive irregularities. Vitamin D deficiency and increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of PMOS. Although vitamin D deficiency and low-grade inflammation have each been associated with PMOS, the relationship between vitamin D status and circulating inflammatory cytokines remains incompletely characterized. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association of Vitamin D and inflammatory interleukins believed to play a key role in the pathogenesis of PMOS.Method The study involved 94 participants divided into two groups: 44 PMOS patients and 50 healthy controls. Age and BMI were recorded for each patient and plasma levels of Vitamin D, anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), IL-6, and IL-8 were measured and compared between the two groups using the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay.Results AMH (p < 0.02), IL-6 (p < 0.001) and IL-8 (p < 0.001) levels were significantly higher in PMOS patients than in controls. Lastly, vitamin D levels were found significantly lower in PMOS patients (18.59 ng/mL) than in controls (37.95 ng/mL; p < 0.001). However, no significant correlation was found between IL-6, IL-8 and Vitamin D.Conclusion Women with PMOS characterized by lower vitamin D concentrations alongside higher AMH, IL-6, IL-8, and BMI compared to healthy controls. Larger longitudinal and prospective interventional studies are required to clarify causality and determine if vitamin D supplementation improves clinical outcomes.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Annals of Medicine, 2026 · DOI ↗