The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E Co-Supplementation on Indices of Insulin Resistance and Hormonal Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Faraneh Afshar Ebrahimi; Mansooreh Samimi; Fatemeh Foroozanfard; Mehri Jamilian; Hossein Akbari; Elham Rahmani; Shahnaz Ahmadi; Mohsen Taghizadeh; Mohammad Reza Memarzadeh; Zatollah Asemi

doi:10.1055/s-0042-117773

Experimental and Clinical Endocrinology & Diabetes, Table of Contents

Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2017; 125(06): 353-359
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-117773

Article

The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Vitamin E Co-Supplementation on Indices of Insulin Resistance and Hormonal Parameters in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Authors

Faraneh Afshar Ebrahimi

¹Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Mansooreh Samimi

¹Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Fatemeh Foroozanfard

¹Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Mehri Jamilian

²Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Hossein Akbari

³Department of Biostatistics, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Elham Rahmani

⁴Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
Shahnaz Ahmadi

⁵Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Mohsen Taghizadeh

⁶Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Mohammad Reza Memarzadeh

⁷Barij Medicinal Plants Research Center, Kashan, I.R. Iran
Zatollah Asemi

⁶Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, I.R. Iran

Abstract

Objective

This study was conducted to determine the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on indices of insulin resistance and hormonal parameters in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods

This randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done on 68 women diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam criteria aged 18–40 years old. Participants were randomly assigned into 2 groups to receive either 1 000 mg omega-3 fatty acids from flaxseed oil containing 400 mg α-Linolenic acid plus 400 IU vitamin E supplements (n=34) or placebo (n=34) for 12 weeks. Hormonal parameters were quantified at the beginning of the study and after 12-week intervention.

Results

After 12 weeks of intervention, compared to the placebo, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation resulted in a significant decrease in insulin (−1.0±3.5 vs. +2.7±6.6 µIU/mL, P=0.004), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated insulin resistance (−0.2±0.8 vs. +0.6±1.5, P=0.005), homeostasis model of assessment-estimated B cell function (−4.3±14.3 vs. +10.5±24.5, P=0.004) and a significant increase in quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (+0.006±0.02 vs. −0.01±0.04, P=0.008). Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids plus vitamin E led to significant reductions in serum total testosterone (−0.5±0.7 vs. −0.1±0.5 ng/mL, P=0.008) and free testosterone (−1.2±2.1 vs. −0.2±1.7, P=0.04) compared to the placebo group. We did not observe any significant effect of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation on fasting plasma glucose and other hormonal profiles.

Conclusions

Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E co-supplementation for 12 weeks in PCOS women significantly improved indices of insulin resistance, total and free testosterone.

Key words

supplementation - insulin resistance - hormonal parameters - polycystic ovary syndrome

Full Text

References

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