title: The Combined therapy myo-inositol plus D-Chiro-inositol, in a physiological ratio, reduces the cardiovascular risk by improving the lipid profile in PCOS patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) present several factors that increase the cardiovascular risk, such as insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol have been shown to improve insulin resistance, hyperandrogenism and to induce ovulation in PCOS women. However, their effects on dyslipidemia are less clear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the combined therapy myo-inositol plus D-chiro-inositol (in a in a physiological ratio of 40:1) improve the metabolic profile, therefore, reducing cardiovascular risk in PCOS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty obese PCOS patients [BMI 33.7 ± 6 kg/m2 (mean ± SD)] were recruited. The lipid profile was assessed by measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides before and after 6 months treatment with the combined therapy. Secondary end points included changes in BMI, waist-hip ratio, percentage of body fat, HOMA-IR and blood pressure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The combined therapy myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol improved LDL levels (3.50 ± 0.8 mmol/L versus, 3 ± 1.2 mmol/L p < 0.05), HDL (1.1 mmol/L ± 0.3 versus 1.6 mmol/L ± 0.4 p < 0.05) and triglycerides (2.3 ± 1.5 mmol/L versus 1.75 ± 1.9 mmol/L p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant improvements in HOMA-IR were also observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combined therapy myo-inositol plus D-chiro-inositol is able to improve the metabolic profile of PCOS women, therefore, reducing the cardiovascular risk.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, ''Sapienza'' University of Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Minozzi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nordio
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pajalich
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007294:Inositol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000187:drug effects; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D008055:Lipids; D007294:Inositol