PCOS, inflammation, coagulation and miscarriage

Dr. Braverman

2026 Posts
Reply PCOS, inflammation, coagulation and miscarriage Posted on: Jun 23, 2011 at 9:22pm
Research has now shown one of the mechanisms by which PCOS involves not only the endocrine system(i.e. high blood sugars, hi LH, hi male hormone levels, and high fasting insulin) but also the immune and coagulation system. Activation of a key pathway called the NF-KB triggered by high glucose levels(and the by products of glucose) leads to marked inflammation, release of inflammatory cytokines such as TNF(tumor necrosis factor) and also increases insulin resistance. In turn the destruction of fat containing cells in these patients (adipose cells) also triggers the coagulation system. So all these pathways are intertwined and activation of the NF-KB system occurs even in PCOS patients that are no overweight.
This is one of the reasons our approach to PCOS has alway been multifactorial and so successful as we treat each of these defects. There are supplements that have been shown to actually decrease the NF-KB pathway activation and also decrease the by products of glucose breakdown that lead to turning off of these pathways. In addition Metformin also repairs the activation of these pathways.
If these pathways are activated and untreated it can lead to early miscarriages which is one of the most common presentations to my office.
Braverman Medical Team
Braverman Reproductive Immunology P.C.