Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Women with oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovaries show a high incidence of ovulation failure perhaps linked to insulin resistance and related metabolic features. A small number of reports shows that inositol improves ovarian function. Futhermore, in these trials the quality of evidence supporting ovulation is suboptimal, and few studies have been placebo-controlled. The aim of this study was to use a double-blind, placebo-controlled approach with detailed assessment of ovarian activity (two blood samples per week) to assess the validity of this therapeutic approach in this group of women.

METHODS

Of the 283 patients randomized, 2 withdrew before treatment commenced, 147 received placebo, and 136 received inositol (100 mg, twice a day). The women which discontined the study prematurely were more numerous in the treatment group (n = 45) than the placebo group (n = 15; P < 0.05).

RESULTS

The ovulation frequency estimated by the ratio of luteal phase weeks to observation weeks was significantly (P < 0.01) higher in the treated group (23%) compared with the placebo (13%). The time in which the first ovulation occurred was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter [23.6 d; 95% confidence interval (CI), 17, 30; compared with 41.8 d; 95% CI, 28, 56]. The number of patients failing to ovulate during the placebo-treatment period was higher (P < 0.05) in the placebo group, and in most cases ovulations were characterized by normal progesterone concentrations in both groups. The effect of inositol on follicular maturation was rapid, because the circulating concentration of E2 increased only in the inositol group during the first week of treatment. Significant (P < 0.01) weight loss (and leptin reduction) was recorded in the inositol group, whereas in the placebo group was recorded an increase of the weight (P < 0.05). A significant increase in circulating high-density lipoprotein was observed only in the inositol-treated group. Metabolic risk factor benefits of inositol treatment were not observed in the morbidly obese subgroup of patients (body mass index > 37). No change in fasting glucose concentrations, fasting insulin, or insulin responses to glucose challenge test was recorded after 14-wk of inositol and placebo therapy. There was an inverse relationship between body mass of the patients and the efficacy of the treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

These data support a beneficial effect of inositol in improving ovarian function in women with oligomenorrhea and polycystic ovaries.

Third-trimester maternal glucose levels from diurnal profiles in nondiabetic pregnancies: correlation with sonographic parameters of fetal growth

OBJECTIVE

To assess the 24-h glucose levels in a group of nondiabetic, nonobese pregnant women and to verify the presence of correlations between maternal glucose levels and sonographic parameters of fetal growth.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 66 Caucasian nonobese pregnant women with normal glucose challenge tests (GCT) enrolled in the study; from this population, we selected 51 women who delivered term (from 37 to 42 weeks completed) live-born infants without evidence of congenital malformations. The women were requested to have three main meals and to perform daily glucose profiles fortnightly from 28-38 weeks without modifying their lifestyle or following any dietary restriction. All subjects were taught how to monitor their blood glucose by using a reflectance meter. Fetal biometry was evaluated by ultrasound scan according to standard methodology at 22, 28, 32, and 36 weeks of pregnancy.

RESULTS

The overall daily mean glucose level during the third trimester was 74.7 +/- 5.2 mg/dl. Daily mean glucose values increased between 28 (71.9 +/- 5.7 mg/dl) and 38 (78.3 +/- 5.4 mg/dl) weeks of pregnancy. We found a significant positive correlation at 28 weeks between 1-h postprandial glucose values and fetal abdominal circumference (AC). At 32 weeks, we documented positive correlations between fetal AC and maternal blood glucose levels 1 h after breakfast, 1 and 2 h after lunch, and 1 and 2 h after dinner. At 36 weeks, there was a positive correlation between fetal AC and 1- and 2-h postprandial blood glucose levels. In addition, there was a negative correlation between head-abdominal circumference ratio and 1-h postprandial blood glucose values.

CONCLUSIONS

This longitudinal study first provides a contribution toward the definition of normoglycemia in nondiabetic, nonobese pregnant women; moreover, it reveals significant correlations of postprandial blood glucose levels with the growth of insulin-sensitive fetal tissues and, in particular, between 1-h postprandial blood glucose values and fetal AC.

Time course of recovery and complications of HELLP syndrome with two different treatments: heparin or dexamethasone

HELLP syndrome is a severe complication of pregnancy characterized by microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, hepatic dysfunction and thrombocytopenia. Though delivery is the ultimate therapeutic option, medical treatments, including the use of heparin or corticosteroids, have been employed in the attempt to improve maternal prognosis. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the time course of recovery and the incidence of complications in women with HELLP syndrome receiving either heparin or dexamethasone. Between January 1990 and December 1998, 32 patients with HELLP syndrome were cared for at the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the University of Florence: 20 patients were treated with heparin, administered subcutaneously at a dose of 5000 IU every 12 h, whereas 12 women received dexamethasone, administered intravenously at a dose of 10 mg every 12 h. Categorical data were evaluated with chi-square and Fisher's exact test; continuous data were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U test; P < .05 was considered significant. In the subgroup treated with heparin the incidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (P < .02), the number of patients requiring blood transfusion (P < .05) and the length of stay at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (P < .04) were significantly increased as compared with the subgroup receiving dexamethasone; in this latter subgroup, significantly higher platelet count and hematocrit values, and significantly lower levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) could be documented starting from day 2 after delivery. The results of our investigation suggest that the use of dexamethasone in patients with HELLP syndrome is associated with faster regression and lower incidence of complications in comparison to heparin.

Thyroid autoimmunity and its association with non-organ-specific antibodies and subclinical alterations of thyroid function in women with a history of pregnancy loss or preeclampsia

Following the observation that non-organ-specific antibodies are related with pregnancy loss and preeclampsia, the role of organ-specific antibodies is currently being extensively investigated. The aim of this study was on the one hand to evaluate the incidence of antithyroid antibodies in a study group of 69 women with a history of early pregnancy loss (subgroup 1), foetal death (subgroup 2) or preeclampsia (subgroup 3) and in a control group, on the other hand to assess the possible association of these autoantibodies with non-organ-specific antibodies and subclinical alterations of thyroid function in the study group. Antithyroid antibodies were present in 26/69 (37.7%) women of the study group (37.9% in subgroup 1; 40.9% in subgroup 2; 33.3% in subgroup 3) and in 10/69 (14.5%) of controls, the difference being statistically significant. A significant difference in the distribution of antibodies to thyroglobulin and thyroid peroxidase was found in subgroup 2. In the study group, the incidence of antiphospholipid antibodies was not significantly different in women positive (26.9%) and negative (34.9%) for antithyroid antibodies. Also, the overall incidence of subclinical alterations of thyroid function in the study group was significantly different in women positive (53.8%) and negative (16.2%) for thyroid autoimmunity (P<0.02). The results of this study seem to confirm the association between thyroid autoimmunity and obstetric complications and suggest the usefulness of undertaking prospective studies in order to evaluate the reproductive outcome of women with a history of recurrent abortion, foetal death or preeclampsia and positivity for antithyroid antibodies.