Myoinositol combined with alpha-lipoic acid may improve the clinical and endocrine features of polycystic ovary syndrome through an insulin-independent action

Abstract

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a combined treatment with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and myoinositol (MYO) on clinical, endocrine and metabolic features of women affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In this pilot cohort study, forty women with PCOS were enrolled and clinical, hormonal and metabolic parameters were evaluated before and after a six-months combined treatment with ALA and MYO daily. Studied patients experienced a significant increase in the number of cycles in six months (p < 0.01). The free androgen index (FAI), the mean androstenedione and DHEAS levels significantly decreased after treatment (p < 0.05). Mean SHBG levels significantly raised (p < 0.01). A significant improvement in mean Ferriman–Gallwey (F–G) score (p < 0.01) and a significant reduction of BMI (p < 0.01) were also observed. A significant reduction of AMH levels, ovarian volume and total antral follicular count were observed in our studied women (p< 0.05). No significant changes occurred in gluco-insulinaemic and lipid parameters after treatment. The combined treatment of ALA and MYO is able to restore the menstrual pattern and to improve the hormonal milieu of PCOS women, even in the absence of apparent changes in insulin metabolism.

Chinese abstract

我们的目的是调查研究α-硫辛酸（ALA）和肌醇（MYO）联合治疗对患多囊卵巢综合征（PCOS）妇女的临床、内分泌和代谢指标的影响。在这项初步队列研究中, 共招募了四十名PCOS患者, 在每天用ALA联合MYO治疗前和进行六个月的联合治疗后, 分别评估临床、激素和代谢参数。入组的患者在六个月内月经周期数显著增加（p < 0.01）, 游离雄激素指数（FAI）、平均雄烯二酮和DHEAS水平显著降低（p < 0.05）。 平均SHBG水平显著升高（p < 0.01）。 还观察到平均Ferriman-Gallwey（F-G）评分的显著改善（p < 0.01）和BMI的显著下降（p < 0.01）。 在我们研究的女性中也观察到AMH水平、卵巢体积和总窦滤泡计数的显著降低（p < 0.05）。 治疗后葡萄糖-胰岛素和脂质参数无明显变化。尽管不存在明显的胰岛素代谢的改变, ALA和MYO联合治疗能够恢复PCOS妇女的月经周期并改善其激素水平。

Keywords:

• PCOS
• alpha-lipoic acid
• myoinositol
• menstrual pattern
• hyperandrogenism

Declaration of interest

All authors report no conflicts of interest.