Abstract:
Objective To investigate the expression levels of forkhead box protein 3 (FOXP3) and pentaxin-3 (PTX3) in the serum of patients with autoimmune premature ovarian failure (APOF) and their relationship with sex hormone levels.
Methods A total of 126 patients diagnosed with premature ovarian failure were selected as the study subjects. Among them, 60 APOF patients were assigned to the observation group, 66 non-APOF patients served as the control group, and 66 healthy women without premature ovarian failure were included as the healthy group. The relative expression levels of FOXP3 mRNA in serum were detected using real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), while PTX3 expression levels and sex hormone levels, including follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), and luteinizing hormone (LH), were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between FOXP3 mRNA and PTX3 expression in APOF patients' serum and estrogen levels was analyzed using Pearson's method. Logistic regression was employed to assess the influencing factors of APOF occurrence, and ROC curve analysis was conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum FOXP3 and PTX3 for APOF.
Results The serum FOXP3 mRNA expression level in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group and healthy group (P < 0.05), while the PTX3 expression level was significantly higher than that in the control group and healthy group (P < 0.05). The serum FSH level in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group and healthy group (P < 0.05), whereas the serum E2 and LH levels were significantly lower (P < 0.05). FOXP3 mRNA in APOF patients' serum showed a negative correlation with FSH (P < 0.05) but a positive correlation with E2 and LH (P < 0.05). PTX3 expression was positively correlated with FSH (P < 0.05) and negatively correlated with E2 and LH (P < 0.05). FOXP3 and E2 levels were protective factors influencing APOF occurrence (P < 0.05), while PTX3 and FSH levels were risk factors (P < 0.05). Combined prediction of FOXP3 and PTX3 in serum demonstrated better efficacy for APOF diagnosis.
Conclusions FOXP3 mRNA is lowly expressed in the serum of APOF patients, while PTX3 is highly expressed. Both expression levels are correlated with sex hormone levels and closely associated with the occurrence of APOF.