ascorbic-acid and Polycystic-Ovary-Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogenous disorder characterized by chronic ovulation dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. It is considered the most common endocrinological disorder, affecting up to 25% of women of reproductive age, and associated with long-term metabolic abnormalities predisposing to cardiovascular risk, such as insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia, endothelial dysfunction, and systemic inflammation. PCOS is also characterized by elevated serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), causing a condition of hyperandrogenism and a consequent altered ratio between LH and the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). Over the years, several different approaches have been proposed to alleviate PCOS symptoms. Supplementation with natural molecules such as inositols, resveratrol, flavonoids and flavones, vitamin C, vitamin E and vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids may contribute to overcoming PCOS pathological features, including the presence of immature oocyte, IR, hyperandrogenism, oxidative stress and inflammation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge about the efficacy of natural molecule supplementation in the management of PCOS.

Topics: Ascorbic Acid; Dietary Supplements; Dyslipidemias; Fatty Acids, Omega-3; Female; Flavanones; Flavonoids; Follicle Stimulating Hormone; Humans; Hyperandrogenism; Inositol; Insulin Resistance; Luteinizing Hormone; Ovulation; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Resveratrol; Vitamin D; Vitamin E; Vitamins

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an increasingly common problem for women in the reproductive age throughout the entire world. A reduction diet with a low glycaemic index (GI) has proved to support the treatment of PCOS. The aim of the study was to analyse the influence of the diet on the level of vitamins soluble in water. The study included 55 women, 40 of which suffered from PCOS (identified by means of the Rotterdam Criteria) and 15 healthy women of the Caucasian race. The level of vitamins before and after the dietary intervention was measured. The diet was a reduction diet with a reduced glycaemic index (GI). Biochemical analyses were made on the basis of liquid chromatography-Infinity 1260 Binary liquid chromatography (LC) Agilent Technology. The level of vitamins in the serum was analysed together with the consumption before and after the dietary intervention. A higher level of vitamin C in the plasma was observed before and after the dietary intervention in the PCOS group in comparison to the control group despite the lower intake of this vitamin in the PCOS group. The remaining vitamins were at a comparable or lower level (B1, B3, B5, B6 and B12). After the dietary intervention, only B1 and B9 were at a clearly lower level (a trend of

Topics: Adult; Ascorbic Acid; Avitaminosis; Diet, Reducing; Dietary Supplements; Female; Glycemic Index; Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Treatment Outcome; Vitamins

In a previous study, we showed that various low-molecular-weight compounds in follicular fluid (FF) samples of control fertile females (CFF) have different concentrations compared to those found in FF of infertile females (IF), before and after their categorization into different subgroups, according to their clinical diagnosis of infertility. Using the same FF samples of this previous study, we here analyzed the FF concentrations of free and bound bilirubin and compared the results obtained in CFF, IF and the different subgroups of IF (endometriosis, EM, polycystic ovary syndrome, PCOS, age-related reduced ovarian reserve, AR-ROR, reduced ovarian reserve, ROR, genetic infertility, GI and unexplained infertility, UI). The results clearly indicated that CFF had lower values of free, bound and total bilirubin compared to the respective values measured in pooled IF. These differences were observed even when IF were categorized into EM, PCOS, AR-ROR, ROR, GI and UI, with EM and PCOS showing the highest values of free, bound and total bilirubin among the six subgroups. Using previous results of ascorbic acid, GSH and nitrite + nitrate measured in the same FF samples of the same FF donors, we found that total bilirubin in FF increased as a function of decreased values of ascorbic acid and GSH, and increased concentrations of nitrite + nitrate. The values of total bilirubin negatively correlated with the clinical parameters of fertilization procedures (number of retrieved oocytes, mature oocytes, fertilized oocytes, blastocysts, high-quality blastocysts) and with clinical pregnancies and birth rates. Bilirubin concentrations in FF were not linked to those found in serum samples of FF donors, thereby strongly suggesting that its over production was due to higher activity of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), the key enzyme responsible for bilirubin formation, in granulosa cells, or cumulus cells or oocytes of IF and ultimately leading to bilirubin accumulation in FF. Since increased activity of HO-1 is one of the main enzymatic intracellular mechanisms of defense towards external insults (oxidative/nitrosative stress, inflammation), and since we found correlations among bilirubin and oxidative/nitrosative stress in these FF samples, it may reasonably be supposed that bilirubin increase in FF of IF is the result of protracted exposures to the aforementioned insults evidently playing relevant roles in female infertility.

Topics: Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Bilirubin; Female; Fertilization in Vitro; Follicular Fluid; Humans; Infertility, Female; Nitrates; Nitric Oxide; Nitrites; Oocytes; Outcome Assessment, Health Care; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Pregnancy

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 10% of women within reproductive ages and has been a cause of infertility and poor quality of life. Alteration in the oxidant-antioxidant profile occurs in PCOS. This study, therefore, investigates the contribution of ascorbic acid (AA) and alpha-tocopherol(ATE) on different PCOS parameters. The mifepristone and letrozole models were used, and young mature female mice were randomly assigned to groups of six per group. On PCOS induction with either mifepristone or letrozole, mice were administered AA and ATE at doses ranging from 10-1000mg/kg to 0.1-1000 mg/kg in the respective models. Vaginal cytology, body weights, and temperature, as well as blood glucose, testosterone, and insulin levels, were measured. Total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels were analyzed. Determination of gene expression of some reactive oxygen species and histomorphological analysis on the ovaries and uteri were performed. At the end of the experiments, AA and ATE restored reproductive cycling, with AA being more effective. AA and ATE increased fasting blood glucose but had no significant effect on serum insulin levels. AA decreased testosterone levels, but ATE caused slight increases. AA and ATE both increased total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde levels. AA and ATE also slightly upregulated the mRNA expressions of catalase, superoxide dismutase, and heme oxygenase 1 mainly. AA and ATE also decreased ovarian weight and mostly resolved cysts in the ovaries and congestion in the uterus. This study has shown that AA and ATE are beneficial in the therapy of PCOS.

Topics: alpha-Tocopherol; Animals; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Blood Glucose; Disease Models, Animal; Estrous Cycle; Female; Insulin; Mice; Ovary; Oxidative Stress; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Testosterone; Uterus

To investigate the correlation between oxidative stress and PCOS, to provide an evidence for the treatment of PCOS.. The levels of maternal serum LPO, MDA, SOD, VE and VC were measured in 30 patients with PCOS (PCOS group 1) and in 30 normal women (control group) by chemicalorimetry. After being measured, the patients with PCOS (PCOS group 1) took VE 0.1 qd x 3 months, VC 0.2 bid x 3 months and Diane-35 (Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone Acetate Tablets) 1 # qd x 21 d/month x 3 months. The LPO, MDA, SOD, VE and VC were measured after three months. The other 30 patients with PCOS (PCOS group 2) were chosen to take Diane-35 (Ethinylestradiol and Cyproterone Acetate Tablets) 1 qd x 21 d/month x 3 months only. The menstrual cycles were viewed in PCOS group 1 and PCOS group 2 for three months.. The levels of maternal serum LPO and MDA in patients with PCOS (PCOS group 1) were significant higher than that in normal women (control group) (P < 0.05). The levels of maternal serum VE, VC and SOD in patients with PCOS (PCOS group 1) were lower than that in normal women (control group) (P < 0.05). The levels of LPO and MDA after taking Diane-35, VE and VC were lower than that before taking Diane-35, VE and VC. The levels of VE, VC and SOD after taking Diane-35, VE and VC were higher than that before taking Diane-35, VE and VC. The recoveries of menstrual cycles in PCOS group 1 were better than that in PCOS group 2.. The PCOS may be related to oxidative stress (the metabolism imbalance of reactive oxygen species). The antioxidants may improve the prognosis of PCOS.

Topics: Androgen Antagonists; Antioxidants; Ascorbic Acid; Cyproterone Acetate; Drug Combinations; Ethinyl Estradiol; Female; Humans; Lipid Peroxides; Malondialdehyde; Oxidative Stress; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Superoxide Dismutase; Vitamin E

Topics: Animals; Ascorbic Acid; Biological Assay; Body Weight; Female; Infertility, Female; Luteinizing Hormone; Organ Size; Ovary; Pituitary Gland; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Rats; Testosterone; Uterus