Background: Kruppel-like factor 7 (KLF7) is associated with type 2 diabetes and obesity; however, at present the KLF7 level in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains unreported.
Methods: In this study, serum KLF7, glucose, insulin, C-reactive protein (CRP), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and total testosterone concentrations were measured in 65 women with PCOS and 61 healthy controls.
Results: Body mass index (BMI) in PCOS and the control group were all < 25 kg/m2. The median concentration of KLF7 was 3.630 ng/mL [interquartile range (IQR): 1.547 - 7.172] in women with PCOS, which was significantly lower than that of controls (5.282 ng/mL, IQR: 3.128 - 11.263, p = 0.003). The KLF7 level was positively correlated with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (r = 0.261, p = 0.018). No significant association was observed between KLF7 and the BMI, total testosterone, and insulin resistance (IR).
Conclusions: The KLF7 level decreased in women with PCOS. KLF7 may represent a new therapeutic target in the treatment of PCOS.