Is there a role for soy isoflavones in the therapeutic approach to polycystic ovary syndrome? Results from a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of the soy isoflavone genistein on the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we studied a group of obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women presenting this syndrome during 6 months of phytoestrogen administration.


METHODS
Pilot prospective study.


METHODS
Operative division of endocrinological gynecology in a university hospital.


METHODS
Twelve Caucasian obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women with PCOS.


METHODS
Patients received 36 mg/d of genistein for 6 months. Ultrasonographic pelvic exams, hormonal and lipid features, oral glucose tolerance test, and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment.


METHODS
Basal hormonal assays, lipid profile, and glycoinsulinemic assessment.


RESULTS
Phytoestrogens supplementation significantly improved total cholesterol levels, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and resulting in a significant decrease in the LDL-high-density lipoprotein ratio (LDL-HDL). Triglycerides showed a trend toward decrease, whereas no changes were detected in very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Genistein treatment did not significantly affect anthropometric features, the hormonal milieu, and menstrual cyclicity. No significant changes occurred in glycoinsulinemic metabolism.


CONCLUSIONS
The possible advantages derived from the therapeutic use of phytoestrogens in PCOS are limited to improvement of the lipidic assessment.
Romualdi
Daniela
D
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Costantini
Barbara
B
Campagna
Giuseppe
G
Lanzone
Antonio
A
Guido
Maurizio
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019833:Genistein / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006728:Hormones / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006946:Hyperinsulinism / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D048789:Phytoestrogens / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D049629:Waist-Hip Ratio; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006728:Hormones; D007328:Insulin; D048789:Phytoestrogens; D014280:Triglycerides; D002784:Cholesterol; D019833:Genistein