Follicular fluid soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE): a potential protective role in polycystic ovary syndrome

To explore the relationships between the soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) and the outcome parameters following in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate the protective effect of sRAGE in PCOS development regarding inflammation. We conducted a prospective analysis of a subsample of 74 participants from the Reproductive Medical Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University. We quantified sRAGE, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), interleukelin-6 (IL-6), and C-reactive protein (CPR) protein levels in the follicular fluid from 39 PCOS and 35 non-PCOS reproductive-age women. sRAGE and VEGF, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP in follicular fluid aspirated without blood were measured by ELISA. sRAGE concentrations in the follicular fluid were significantly lower in the PCOS group compared to those in the control group, while VEGF, TNF-alpha, IL-6, and CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group (P < 0.05). sRAGE was significantly, inversely correlated with the total dose of gonadotropin (Gn) in the PCOS group undergoing IVF treatment (r = -0.451, P = 0.004). After adjusting for age and Gn dose (in international units used per cycle), sRAGE protein levels in the follicular fluid were significantly, inversely related to VEGF (r = -0.378, P = 0.018), TNF-alpha (r = -0.450, P = 0.004), IL-6 (r = -0.455, P = 0.004), and CRP (r = -0.375, P = 0.019). sRAGE in the follicular fluid might exert a protective effect against the inflammatory action of PCOS development.