Anti‐hypertensive Effects of Whey Protein Supplementation in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common female endocrine disorder and a leading cause of female infertility affecting about 5 million women of reproductive age in the US. It is characterized by metabolic dysfunction, abnormal hormonal pattern, hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia and an inflammatory state. In addition, PCOS women have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM), hypertension (HTN) and heart disease. One of the most significant factors associated with HTN is increased circulating angiotensin II (Ang II). Ang II is a pro‐inflammatory factor produced by adipose tissue and has been implicated in linking obesity, inflammation and IR. Metabolites generated as result of whey protein digestion improve insulin sensitivity, inhibit ACE (an enzyme responsible for production of Ang II) thereby playing an important role in the prevention of HTN and associated cardio‐vascular pathologies. These benefits of whey protein ingestion have been demonstrated in normal populations and in individuals with T2DM. The purpose of this study was to examine changes in blood pressure (BP), Ang II and Adiponectin concentrations following 40 days of whey protein supplementation and to examine differences in baseline measurements of between body fat distribution in PCOS women and healthy controls (CON). Women with PCOS and CON were recruited from Texas Woman’s University (TWU) and asked to consume 35g of whey protein for 40 days. Baseline, Day 20 and Day 40 concentrations were measured via plasma and serum collection. Resting BP (Systolic and Diastolic pressures; SBP and DBP respectively) were measured with an electronic monitor were used to calculate mean arterial pressure (MAP) at baseline, Day 20 and Day 40. DXA was used to estimate body composition and fat distribution (total body fat, trunk fat and Android: Gynoid fat ratio [A:G]) at baseline. Protocols used in this study were approved by TWU’s Institutional Review Board (IRB). Preliminary analyses indicates that at baseline SBP was significantly lower in the CON group compared to PCOS. However, DBP and MAP had no significant differences at baseline. The PCOS group also had lower adiponectin levels at baseline when compared to the CON group. Ang II concentrations, as well as Day 20 and Day 40 analysis are currently being evaluated. Overall, our results indicate that vascular health is compromised in young women with PCOS compared to health controls. Results from this research, will not only help provide a better understanding of the link between inflammatory markers such as Ang II and the increased risk of HTN commonly seen in women with PCOS, but it also provide a nutritional intervention to help prevent these disorders.Support or Funding InformationGlanbia Nutritionals, Inc., TWU Research Enhancement Program, TWU Human Nutrition Research funds.