Comparison of Metformin and N Acetylcysteine on Clinical, Metabolic Parameter and Hormonal Profile in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: Comparison of metformin and N acetylcysteine on clinical, metabolic parameter and hormonal profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome. Design: Prospective comparative study. Setting: Obstetrics and Gynecology department in Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital Allahabad. Patient(s): On the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 100 patients of PCOS were selected for study and assigned randomly in two groups to receive either metformin (1500 mg/day) (group M) or N acetylcysteine (1800 mg/day) (group N) for 24 weeks. Intervention(s): Metabolic parameter and hormonal profile were determined before and after the treatment. Main Outcome Measure(s): Metabolic parameters, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and testosterone changes. Result(s): Forty-five patients of both groups were ultimately evaluated. There was a significant improvement of body mass index, waist circumference and waist–hip ratio in group N, but there was no significant difference found in weight reduction among two groups. The biochemical marker of insulin resistance like fasting insulin, fasting glucose/insulin ratio improved significantly in group N. Greater reduction of total testosterone was observed in group N. Conclusion(S): Better improvement of metabolic and hormonal profile was observed in N acetylcysteine group. Because of its less side effect comparing to metformin, NAC can be used as a substitute for insulin-sensitizing agent in treatment of PCOS.