Preliminary data on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome after treatment with D-Chiro-Inositol

Background and aim. The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has multifactorial pathogenesis, and is defined by the identification of two out of following parameters: oligo-anovulation, hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries. Emerging evidences support the opinion for which the Inositol isoforms seems to increase insulin action and, in this way, improve the ovulatory function and inhibit or limit the production of circulating androgens. The aim of this work is to evaluate the effects of D-Chiro-inositol, one of the Inositol isoforms, in women affected by PCOS. Materials and methods. We enrolled 25 patients, with homogeneous bio-physical characteristics, affected by PCOS and menstrual irregularities. We analyzed the following pre-treatment (T0) parameters: BMI, Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure, Ferriman-Gallwey score, Cremoncini score, serum LH, LH/FSH ratio, total and free Testosterone, DHEA-S, Δ-4-Androstenedione, SHBG, Prolactin, Glucose/IRI ratio, HOMA index. Then, the enrolled patients underwent treatment with 1 gr of D-Chiro-Inositol/die plus 400 mcg of Folic Acid/die orally for 6 months. We checked in the post-treatment (T1) the same parameters analyzed in the pre-treatment phase, in order to evaluate if any variation occurred. Moreover, we evaluate the post-treatment rate of resumption of regular menstrual cycles. Results. We evidenced a statistically significant reduction of the Systolic blood pressure, Gallwey-Ferriman Score, LH, LH/FSH ratio, total Testosterone, free Testosterone, ∆-4-Androstenedione, Prolactin and HOMA Index; in the same patients we noticed a statistically significant increase of SHBG and Glycemia/IRI ratio. Moreover, we observed statistically significant (64%; p<0.05) post-treatment menstrual cycle regularization. Conclusion. D-Chiro-Inositol is effective in improving ovarian function and metabolism of patients affected by PCOS.