Inositols in the Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Reproductive Age

Abstract

Polycystic ovary is part of an endocrine syndrome in which different pathophysiological mechanisms lead to a similar reproductive outcome: anovulation, irregularity of the menstrual cycle, and infertility. Hormonal and metabolic disorders are associated with reproductive adverse outcomes, which represent a vicious circle with dysfunctional ovaries. Hyperandrogenemia, disorder of carbohydrate metabolism, and sex hormone synthesis led to reproductive abnormalities. One of the most crucial questions still remains, whether the polycystic ovary is the cause or the consequence of all known disorders. Inositols are in the treatment of PCOS capable of restoring ovulation with the impact on the carbohydrate metabolism, by increasing the sensitivity of cells to insulin, which releases the sex hormones-binding protein and improves hyperandrogenemia. Nine stereoisomers of inositol are known, myo-inositol and chiro-inositol are the most studied in the reproductive age. By normalizing the level of androgens in the blood, the growth of and the balance of sex hormones is established. A variety of metabolic pathways of these molecules are recognized in different tissues, such as fat, muscle, or ovarian tissue. Still, it is not clear which isomer has better reproductive or metabolic effects, and there are controversies about their effectiveness in the treatment of reproductive disorders.