PhD Dissertation at Al-Nahrain College of Medicine Reveals Promising Biomarkers for the Assessment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

On Thursday, September 10, 2026, a PhD dissertation by doctoral candidate Talba Abdul-Sahib Hamid from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Al-Nahrain University, was discussed. The dissertation was entitled:

“Study the Effect of β1 Integrin and Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Signaling Pathways on Prolidase Activity in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome..”

The study aimed to evaluate the levels of β1-integrin, IGF-1, and prolidase in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), investigate prolidase activity and its kinetic properties, examine their relationships with hormonal and metabolic changes, and assess their potential value as biomarkers of the syndrome.

The results showed that women with PCOS had significantly elevated levels of β1-integrin, IGF-1, and prolidase in plasma and erythrocyte lysates compared with healthy women, along with marked hormonal and metabolic disturbances. The kinetic analysis of prolidase also demonstrated significant changes in Km and Vmax, indicating alterations in the enzyme’s substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency.

ROC analysis demonstrated promising diagnostic value for both plasma β1-integrin and plasma prolidase in differentiating women with PCOS from healthy women. The area under the curve (AUC) was 0.956 for β1-integrin and 0.927 for plasma prolidase.

Correlation analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between IGF-1 and disease duration, as well as a significant negative correlation between prolidase in erythrocyte lysates and progesterone levels among women with PCOS.

The study concluded that β1-integrin, IGF-1, and prolidase may play important roles in extracellular matrix remodeling and collagen turnover in PCOS. Measuring prolidase activity and analyzing its kinetic properties, together with β1-integrin and IGF-1 levels, may represent promising tools for improving the understanding and assessment of the syndrome.

The discussion committee consisted of:

• Prof. Dr. Raed Jasim Mohammed – Chair

• Dr. Manal Madani Abdul-Qader – Member

• Prof. Dr. Hala Ghazi Mahmoud – Member

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Wasan Taha Saadoun – Member

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Nisreen Ahmed Nasser – Member

• Asst. Prof. Dr. Hassan Hussein Taha – Member and Supervisor

• Prof. Dr. Enas Adnan Abdul-Rasoul – Member and Supervisor

The dissertation was successfully approved with a grade of Excellent.

Media and Government Communication Division
College of Medicine – Al-Nahrain University