Effect of d-chiro-inositol and alpha-lipoic acid combination on COH outcomes in overweight/obese PCOS women

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR) plays a central role in the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Insulin so insulin-sensitizing like inositols have been proposed as first line therapy. Among them d-chiro-inositol (DCI) seems to improve glucose metabolism and to increase ovulation frequency. Other studies have demonstrated that alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), with its antioxidant role, can also improve endocrine and metabolic profile of PCOS patients especially with familial diabetes. This a retrospective observational study with the aim to evaluate possible advantages of an integrative preparation combining DCI 500 mg and ALA 300 mg in overweight/obese PCOS patients with or without diabetic relatives who underwent IVF. Twenty PCOS patients who were taking the integrative preparation underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation in our center. The group with diabetic relatives tended to have a lower dose of gonadotropin, shorter stimulation days, higher number of MII oocytes, and higher number of fertilized oocytes. A combined regimen of DCI and ALA could be an interesting strategy in overweight PCOS patients with familial diabetes underwent ART.