title: The use of berberine for women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing IVF treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous studies have indicated that berberine is an effective insulin sensitizer with comparable activity to metformin (Diabetes 2006, 55, 2256). Reduced insulin sensitivity is reportedly a factor adversely affecting the outcome of IVF in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) (Human Reproduction 2006, 21, 1416). Our objective was to evaluate the clinical, metabolic and endocrine effects of berberine vs metformin in PCOS women scheduled for IVF treatment and to explore the potential benefits to the IVF process.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a prospective study in 150 infertile women with PCOS undergoing IVF treatment. Patients were randomized to receive berberine, metformin or placebo tablets for 3 months before ovarian stimulation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The clinical, endocrine, metabolic parameters and the outcome of IVF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with placebo, greater reductions in total testosterone, free androgen index, fasting glucose, fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, and increases in SHBG, were observed in the berberine and metformin groups. Three months of treatment with berberine or metformin before the IVF cycle increased the pregnancy rate and reduced the incidence of severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. Furthermore, treatment with berberine, in comparison with metformin, was associated with decreases in BMI, lipid parameters and total FSH requirement, and an increase in live birth rate with fewer gastrointestinal adverse events.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Berberine and metformin treatments prior to IVF improved the pregnancy outcome by normalizing the clinical, endocrine and metabolic parameters in PCOS women. Berberine has a more pronounced therapeutic effect and achieved more live births with fewer side effects than metformin.
authors.affiliation: Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: An
authors.forename: Zhuangzhuang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Yajuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Bin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Meisong
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001599:Berberine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008687:Metformin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016471:Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D001599:Berberine; D008687:Metformin