Main findings
In this analysis of complement proteins and activation products in young
women, we find evidence of complement dysregulation in patients with
PCOS. Activation of the complement cascade was evident in the fasting
state as well as postprandially, and involved both the activation (C3,
C3(adesArg), factor H) and terminal pathways (C5a(desArg), TCC).
Furthermore, complement dysregulation was most pronounced in
metabolically unhealthy subjects, and correlated with both obesity and
insulin sensitivity.