Assessment of Gut Microbial β-Glucuronidase and β-Glucosidase Activity in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveTo identify Gut microbial β-Glucuronidase and β-Glucosidase activity in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and reveal a possible correlation between gut bacterial enzyme activities and estrogen.DesignCase-Control Study.SubjectsReproductive-aged women with PCOS (n=23) and controls (n =25) from the Health Centre of Gujarat University.InterventionsSpectrophotometric analysis of β-Glucuronidase and β-Glucosidase activity of fecal samples from patients and clinical parameters (including body mass index, endocrine hormone levels, and hirsutism) collected for correlation analysis.Primary outcomeIdentification of gut bacterial β-Glucuronidase and β-Glucosidase activity differences and clinical parameters.ResultsCompared to the controls, PCOS women had considerably higher levels of β-glucuronidase activity, having statistically significant p-value (0.05 ± 0.1vs. 0.04± 0.1;p=0.006). We observed a higher trend of β-glucosidase activity in PCOS women compared to the control (0.13 ± 0.08 vs. 0.09 ± 0.05;p=0.06).ConclusionWe observed a strong trend toward increased levels of β-glucuronidase and β-glucosidase activity in PCOS women compared to healthy control women. This inference requires further validation through studies with a larger sample size. However, if validated, we suggest that β-glucosidase levels can be considered a putative biomarker for PCOS women with metabolic disturbances and might help personalize the treatment.Graphical abstract