title: Inositol: history of an effective therapy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
abstract: Inositol is a physiological compound belonging to the sugar family. The two inositol stereoisomers, myo-inositol and D-chiroinositol are the two main stereisomers present in our body. Myo-inositol is the precursor of inositol triphosphate, a second messenger regulating many hormones such as TSH, FSH and insulin. D-chiroinositol is synthetized by an insulin dependent epimerase that converts myo-inositol into D-chiro-inositol. Polycistic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic and hormonal disorder and a common cause of infertility. Insulin resistance and the consequent hyperinsulinaemia contribute to hyperandrogenism development, typical marker of PCOS. In these patients myo and/or D-chiro-inositol administration improves insulin sensivity while only myo-inositol is a quality marker for oocytes evaluation. Myo-inositol produces second messengers for FSH and glucose uptake, while D-chiroinositol provides second messengers promoting glucose uptake and glycogen synthesis. The physiological ratio of these two isomers is 40:1 (MI/DCI) and seems to be an optimal approach for the treatment of PCOS disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. g.carlomagno@lolipharma.it.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bizzarri
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carlomagno
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007294:Inositol / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000266:history*; D014803:Vitamin B Complex / Q000266:history* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014803:Vitamin B Complex; D007294:Inositol