Current treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome: focus on adolescence

Cardiometabolic risk in children and adolescents with obesity: a position paper of the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology

Despite the implementation of preventive measures to counteract the obesity epidemics, the prevalence of childhood obesity is still alarming all over the world. Childhood obesity is the most common risk factor for both cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In fact, an earlier onset of obesity can cause a greater risk of adiposity tracking across the lifespan and consequently a longer exposure to cardiometabolic risk factors. Accumulating evidence provided by prospective and intervention studies demonstrated the link between pediatric obesity and selected subclinical signs of cardiovascular damage (atherosclerosis and left ventricular hypertrophy), or fatal and not fatal cardiovascular events as early as 40 years of age.The numerous guidelines and scientific documents published in the last years demonstrate the relevance of assessing cardiometabolic risk factors in children and adolescents with OB.This Position paper, released by experts of the "Childhood Obesity study group" within the Italian Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology, aims to review the assessment of cardiometabolic risk factors and comorbidities in children and adolescents with OW/OB on the light of the most recent scientific evidence.The main recommendations are: (a) early detection of comorbidities, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, prediabetes/type 2 diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, inactivity, obstructive sleep apnea and decline in kidney function; (b) weight loss treatment, which is associated with a reduction of all cardiometabolic risk factors; (c) specific treatment of comorbidities, through lifestyle modifications or pharmacological treatment added to lifestyle for suitable individuals; d). monitoring comorbidities for mitigating future morbidity and mortality.

Comparative Effectiveness of Antidiabetic Drugs as an Additional Therapy to Metformin in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review of Metabolic Approaches

Background

Metformin is commonly prescribed to treat polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients, but in some cases, it may not be effective even at high doses or may cause intolerable side effects. Therefore, recent studies have examined the impact of combining metformin with other antidiabetic medications.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase up to 30 June 2023. All interventional studies that assessed the efficacy of different antidiabetic agents were included.

Results

Among the 3488 records found in the primary search, 16 papers were included. Our study showed that dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4i) had the most significant impact on glycemic profile, while thiazolidinediones (TZDs) had the most influence on lipid levels. However, it was observed that patients taking only metformin experienced a greater increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP1RAs) effectively modified various anthropometric measurements, such as weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio. The effects of different antidiabetic drugs on hormone levels were inconclusive, although testosterone levels were more affected by GLP1RA, sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i), and TZDs. None of the combined therapies showed a significant change in blood pressure.

Conclusion

Since PCOS is a metabolic disorder, choosing the best combination of antidiabetic drugs in the clinical course of PCOS patients will be very important. Today, it seems that we need a new metabolic approach for better treatment of the metabolic aspects of these patients.

Efficacy and safety of metformin in combination with chemotherapy in cancer patients without diabetes: systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

The results of a meta-analysis of retrospective studies suggest that the use of metformin in cancer patients may prolong progression-free disease survival and overall survival. However, the studies included in the meta-analysis did not strictly distinguish between patients with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, further studies are needed to assess whether the use of adjuvant chemotherapy with metformin in cancer patients without diabetes improves prognosis.

Method

Systematic searches of Embase, Pubmed, and The Cochrane library were performed for the subject terms metformin and neoplasm and for free words. Data related to PFS, OS were extracted according to inclusion exclusion criteria. The data were combined and meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 to confirm the efficacy and safety of metformin administration.

Results

There were 3228 publications retrieved from the database and a total of 13 publications with 955 patients were included in the meta-analysis after screening. All included studies were randomised controlled trials. Metformin combined with adjuvant chemotherapy did not improve progression-free survival (HR=1,95CI 0.79-1.25), overall survival (HR=0.91,95% CI 0.69-1.20) and did not improve objective disease response rates in patients. There was no significant difference in grade 3-4 adverse reactions compared to placebo.

Conclusion

In this meta-analysis of randomised controlled trial studies, we found that chemotherapy in combination with metformin in cancer patients without diabetes did not prolong progression-free survival and overall survival and improved disease control in patients, although there was no significant difference in terms of safety. More high-quality randomised controlled trials are needed in the future to confirm the in vivo anti-tumour activity and survival benefit of metformin.

The Effect of Oral Antidiabetic Drugs on Improving the Endocrine and Metabolic States in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine condition in women, impacting several aspects of a woman's life, including reproductive, mental, cardiovascular, and metabolic health. Antidiabetic drugs may have beneficial effects on the endocrine and metabolic states in women with PCOS.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to compare the effects of oral antidiabetic drugs on reproductive hormones, metabolic and anthropometric markers, and menstrual frequency, in patients with PCOS using network meta-analysis.

METHODS

PubMed, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched for studies published up to May 31, 2021. Randomised clinical trials enrolling participants with PCOS were included, for which sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors, metformin (Met), dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), and thiazolidinediones (TZDs) (alone or in combination) were compared with either each other, placebo, or no treatment. A network meta-analysis using a Bayesian approach was performed. The outcomes included changes in endocrine outcomes, metabolic results, menstrual frequency, and anthropometric findings. All research was conducted according to a protocol registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42021248314).

RESULTS

In total, we retrieved 3383 studies, of which 47 articles enrolling 2626 participants were included for the network meta-analysis. In comparison to the control groups, Met (MD - 0.41, 95% CI - 0.73 to - 0.09) was more beneficial in reducing serum total testosterone, and GLP-1RAs+Met (MD - 5.44, 95% CI - 10.06 to - 0.89) reduced free androgen index (FAI) more effectively. Thiazolidinediones (MD 9.33, 95% CI 0.15 to 17.99) had a greater effect on sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) than Met. For decreasing androstenedione, Met (MD - 1.87, 95% CI - 2.73 to - 1.01), DPP-4 inhibitors (MD - 2.64, 95% CI - 4.77 to - 0.49), GLP-1RAs (MD - 3.06, 95% CI - 5.53 to - 0.62), and GLP-1RAs+Met (MD - 2.97, 95% CI - 5.85 to - 0.09) were more effective than TZDs. The confidence in evidence was often low or very low.

CONCLUSIONS

In this network meta-analysis, GLP-1 receptor agonists in combination with metformin appear to be preferable for improving hyperandrogenaemia. Metformin and TZDs offer the added benefit of improving fasting blood glucose (FBG) and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) when compared to the control groups. Metformin combined with GLP-1 receptor agonists or TZDs could be associated with a beneficial effect on menstrual recovery.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Insulin-Resistant Adolescents with Obesity: The Role of Nutrition Therapy and Food Supplements as a Strategy to Protect Fertility

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in young reproductive-aged women. PCOS is often associated with obesity and impairs reproductive health. Even though several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of PCOS, the role of insulin resistance (IR) as a key etiological component, independently of (but amplified by) obesity, is well recognized. The consequent hyperinsulinemia activates excessive ovarian androgen production, leading to PCOS. Additionally, the state of chronic inflammation related to obesity impacts ovarian physiology due to insulin sensitivity impairment. The first-line treatment for adolescents with obesity and PCOS includes lifestyle changes; personalized dietary interventions; and, when needed, weight loss. Medical nutrition therapy (MNT) and the use of specific food supplements in these patients aim at improving symptoms and signs, including insulin resistance and metabolic and reproductive functions. The purpose of this narrative review is to present and discuss PCOS in adolescents with obesity, its relationship with IR and the role of MNT and food supplements in treatment. Appropriate early dietary intervention for the management of adolescents with obesity and PCOS should be considered as the recommended approach to restore ovulation and to protect fertility.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction and Chronic Inflammation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine-metabolic disorder affecting a vast population worldwide; it is linked with anovulation, mitochondrial dysfunctions and hormonal disbalance. Mutations in mtDNA have been identified in PCOS patients and likely play an important role in PCOS aetiology and pathogenesis; however, their causative role in PCOS development requires further investigation. As a low-grade chronic inflammation disease, PCOS patients have permanently elevated levels of inflammatory markers (TNF-α, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, IL-18). In this review, we summarise recent data regarding the role of mtDNA mutations and mitochondrial malfunctions in PCOS pathogenesis. Furthermore, we discuss recent papers dedicated to the identification of novel biomarkers for early PCOS diagnosis. Finally, traditional and new mitochondria-targeted treatments are discussed. This review intends to emphasise the key role of oxidative stress and chronic inflammation in PCOS pathogenesis; however, the exact molecular mechanism is mostly unknown and requires further investigation.