Metabolic Effects of D-Chiro-Inositol and Myo-Inositol in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The pathogenesis has not been fully deciphered. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance (IR), menstrual irregularities, cardiovascular disease, obesity, hirsutism, infertility, and endometrial cancer. The use of D-chiro-inositol (DCI) for the treatment of IR in PCOS has been controversial with contradictory data being published. Our objective is to evaluate the effect of DCI combined with myo-inositol (MI), and metformin on the metabolic outcomes of PCOS in a Lebanese women cohort. This is a prospective study of 150 Lebanese women diagnosed with PCOS and treated with Ovacure® (DCI+MI+folic acid), or a combination of Ovacure® and metformin. Patients aged 13 to 55 years were randomly selected from different clinics in Beirut and Mount Lebanon. A questionnaire covering the personal and health status, physical activity, medications and anthropometrics was completed before enrolment. The prevalence of obesity in our population was 35.3%. Although IR was more prevalent among obese women with PCOS, non-obese subjects were also found to have a signifi cant incidence of IR. After a 6 months course of treatment with Ovacure®, a signifi cant decrease in fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL), Triglycerides (TG), weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) levels were noted. Furthermore, adding metformin to Ovacure®, lowered weight and BMI further but not IR. In this study, we show that the combination of MI and DCI may improve the metabolic profi le in PCOS. The addition of metformin may help control overweight further but not IR.