Metabolic and hormonal effects of myo-inositol in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a double-blind trial

D. Costantino, G. Minozzi*, F. Minozzi*, C. Guaraldi**

Centro Salute della Donna, Azienda USL, Ferrara (Italy) *Génétique et Diversité Animales, Istitut National de la Recherche Agronomique/AgroParisTech, F-78352 Jouy en Josas (France) **Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Hospital of Valdagno, Vicenza (Italy)

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• Endocrinology
• Internal Medicine

To investigate the effects of treatment with Myo-inositol (an insulin sensitizing drug), on circulating insulin, glucose tolerance, ovulation and serum androgens concentrations in women with the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Forty-two women with PCOS were treated in a double-blind trial with Myo-inositol plus folic acid or folic acid alone as placebo. In the group treated with Myo-inositol the serum total testosterone decreased from 99.5±7 to 34.8±4.3 ng/dl (placebo group: from 116.8±15 to 109±7.5 ng/dl; p =0.003), and serum free testosterone from 0.85±0.1 to 0.24±0.33 ng/dl (placebo group: from 0.89±0.12 to 0.85±0.13 ng/dl; P=0.01). Plasma triglycerides decreased from 195±20 to 95±17 mg/dl (placebo group: from 166±21 to 148±19 mg/dl; p =0.001). Systolic blood pressure decreased from 131±2 to 127±2 mmHg (placebo group: from 128±1 to 130±1 mmHg; p =0.002). Diastolic blood pressure decreased from 88±1 to 82±3 mmHg (placebo group: from 86±1 to 90±1 mmHg; p =0.001). The area under the plasma insulin curve after oral administration of glucose decreased from 8.54±1.149 to 5.535±1.792 micronU/ml/min (placebo group: from 8.903±1.276 to 9.1±1.162 µU/ml/min; p =0.03). The index of composite whole body insulin sensitivity (ISIcomp) increased from 2.80±0.35 to 5.05±0.59 mg-2/dl-2 (placebo group: from 3.23±0.48 to 2.81±0.54 mg-2/dl-2; p <0.002). 16 out of 23 women of Myo-inositol group ovulated (4 out of 19 in placebo group). Treatment of PCOS patients with Myo-inositol provided a decreasing of circulating insulin and serum total testosterone as well as an improvement in metabolic factors.

Corresponding Author: Demetrio Costantino, MD; e-mail: kostin@alice.it

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