title: Metformin versus chromium picolinate in clomiphene citrate-resistant patients with PCOs: A double-blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chromium picolinate could be effective in clomiphen citrate resistant PCOS patients.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effects of chromium picolinate vs. metformin in clomiphen citrate resistant PCOS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present randomized clinical trial was performed on 92 women with clomiphen citrate-resistant PCOS at the clinics which were affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups receiving either chromium picolinate (200µg daily) or metformin (1500mg daily) for 3 months. Anthropometric and hormonal profile were measured and compared both before and after the treatment. Ovulation and pregnancy rate was measured in the two study groups, as well.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chromium picolinate significantly decreased fasting blood sugar (FBS) after 3 months of treatment (p=0.042). In the same way, the serum levels of fasting insulin had significantly decreased leading to an increase in insulin sensitivity as measured by QUICKI index (p=0.014). In comparison to the patients who received chromium picolinate, those who received metformin had significantly lower levels of testosterone (p=0.001) and free testosterone (p=0.001) after 3 months of treatment. Nevertheless, no significant difference was found between the two study groups regarding ovulation (p=0.417) and pregnancy rates (p=0.500).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chromium picolinate decreased FBS and insulin levels and, thus, increased insulin sensitivity in clomiphene citrate-resistance PCOS women. These effects were comparable with metformin; however, metformin treatment was associated with decreased hyperandrogenism. Overall, chromium picolinate was better tolerated compared to metformin; nonetheless, the two study groups were not significantly different regarding ovulation and pregnancy rates. Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT201203139281N1.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Sedigheh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Amooee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Ebrahim
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Parsanezhad
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ravanbod Shirazi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Alborzi
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shahid Faghihi Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Alamtaj
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Samsami
keywords: Chromium picolinate; Clomiphen resistant.; Metformin; Polycystic ovary Syndrome (PCOS)