A Comparative Study of Blood Levels of Manganese, Some Macroelements and Heavy Metals in Obese and Non-Obese Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Patients Original paper
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
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Divine Aleru
I am a biochemist with a deep curiosity for the human microbiome and how it shapes human health, and I enjoy making microbiome science more accessible through research and writing. With 2 years experience in microbiome research, I have curated microbiome studies, analyzed microbial signatures, and now focus on interventions as a Microbiome Signatures and Interventions Research Coordinator.
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Women’s Health
Women’s Health
Women’s health, a vital aspect of medical science, encompasses various conditions unique to women’s physiological makeup. Historically, women were often excluded from clinical research, leading to a gap in understanding the intricacies of women’s health needs. However, recent advancements have highlighted the significant role that the microbiome plays in these conditions, offering new insights and potential therapies. MicrobiomeSignatures.com is at the forefront of exploring the microbiome signature of each of these conditions to unravel the etiology of these diseases and develop targeted microbiome therapies.
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Divine Aleru
Researched by:
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Divine Aleru
ID
Divine Aleru
Microbiome Signatures identifies and validates condition-specific microbiome shifts and interventions to accelerate clinical translation. Our multidisciplinary team supports clinicians, researchers, and innovators in turning microbiome science into actionable medicine.
Divine Aleru
What was studied?
This study examined the blood levels of trace elements and heavy metals—specifically manganese (Mn), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), cadmium (Cd), and lead (Pb)—in women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with a comparison between obese and non-obese subgroups. The study also explored correlations between these elements and sex hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone, TSH, prolactin) to assess whether these minerals and toxic metals could play a pathophysiological role in PCOS. The study aimed to evaluate how both beneficial and harmful mineral profiles interact with hormonal dysregulation in PCOS, particularly through oxidative stress pathways.
Who was studied?
The study included 82 Iraqi women divided into four groups: 27 obese women with PCOS (BMI ≥ 30), 27 non-obese women with PCOS (BMI <30), 14 obese healthy controls, and 14 non-obese healthy controls. Diagnosis of PCOS followed the revised Rotterdam criteria, requiring two of three features—hyperandrogenism, oligo– or anovulation, and polycystic ovaries—while excluding other endocrine disorders. Blood and serum samples were collected for mineral and hormonal profiling using atomic absorption spectrophotometry and immunoassays.
What were the most important findings?
Both obese and non-obese women with PCOS had significantly higher blood concentrations of lead and cadmium and significantly lower serum concentrations of manganese, magnesium, and calcium compared to their respective control groups. Notably, no significant differences in trace element levels were found between obese and non-obese PCOS groups, indicating that mineral and heavy metal imbalances are intrinsic features of PCOS regardless of BMI.
Correlations between trace elements and hormones provided mechanistic insights. In non-obese PCOS women, blood lead levels positively correlated with serum TSH, suggesting a thyroid-disrupting effect of lead. Cadmium levels positively correlated with total testosterone in obese PCOS women, implying a potential role in hyperandrogenism. Additionally, magnesium levels were inversely correlated with LH in non-obese PCOS women, highlighting magnesium’s regulatory role in gonadotropin release.
These elemental imbalances are tightly linked to oxidative stress, a central driver of PCOS pathogenesis. Lead and cadmium generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), impair mitochondrial function, and deplete antioxidants like glutathione. Manganese deficiency disrupts mitochondrial superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) activity, while low magnesium intensifies ROS generation and impairs glucose metabolism, exacerbating insulin resistance. From a microbiome perspective, excess lead and cadmium may enrich inflammatory genera like Proteobacteria, while deficiencies in magnesium and manganese reduce populations of SCFA-producing species like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Roseburia, contributing to systemic inflammation and endocrine disruption.
What are the greatest implications of this study?
This study emphasizes that disruptions in essential and toxic trace elements are fundamental to the hormonal and metabolic disturbances observed in PCOS. Elevated levels of lead and cadmium, coupled with deficiencies in manganese, magnesium, and calcium, suggest a common oxidative and endocrine-disrupting profile in PCOS patients, independent of obesity status. Clinically, these findings support the integration of trace element and heavy metal screening into PCOS evaluation and management. Therapeutic strategies that focus on detoxification (reducing cadmium and lead burden) and repletion of deficient minerals may restore oxidative balance and improve hormonal regulation. Moreover, these mineral imbalances may be influencing gut microbiota composition, suggesting an underexplored link between environmental exposure, trace element status, microbial dysbiosis, and PCOS. Future research should prioritize longitudinal and interventional studies to assess whether correcting these elemental imbalances can modulate the gut–hormone axis and lead to improved reproductive and metabolic outcomes in PCOS.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age, characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, and insulin resistance. It is often associated with metabolic dysfunctions and inflammation, leading to fertility issues and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.