Author:
Dinicola Simona,Unfer Vittorio,Soulage Christophe O.,Yap-Garcia Maria Isidora Margarita,Bevilacqua Arturo,Benvenga Salvatore,Barbaro Daniele,Wdowiak Artur,Nordio Maurizio,Dewailly Didier,Appetecchia Marialuisa,Aragona Cesare,Espinola Maria Salomè Bezerra,Bizzarri Mariano,Cavalli Pietro,Colao Annamaria,D'Anna Rosario,Vazquez-Levin Mónica Hebe,Hernàndez Marin Imelda,Kamenov Zdravko,Laganà Antonio Simone,Monastra Giovanni,Montanino Oliva Mario,Cenk Özay Ali,Pintaudi Basilio,Porcaro Giuseppina,Pustotina Olga,Pkhaladze Lali,Prapas Nikos,Roseff Scott,Salehpour Saghar,Stringaro Annarita,Tugushev Marat,Unfer Virginia,Vucenik Ivana,Facchinetti Fabio
Abstract
<b><i>Background:</i></b> <sc>d</sc>-Chiro-inositol is a natural molecule that, in association with its well-studied isomer myo-inositol, may play a role in treating various metabolic and gynecological disorders. <b><i>Objectives:</i></b> This perspective seeks to explore the mechanisms and functions of <sc>d</sc>-chiro-inositol, laying the foundations to discuss its use in clinical practice, across dysmetabolism, obesity, and hormonal dysregulation. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A narrative review of all the relevant papers known to the authors was conducted. <b><i>Outcome:</i></b> <sc>d</sc>-Chiro-inositol acts through a variety of mechanisms, acting as an insulin sensitizer, inhibiting the transcription of aromatase, in addition to modulating white adipose tissue/brown adipose tissue transdifferentiation. These different modes of action have potential applications in a variety of therapeutic fields, including PCOS, dysmetabolism, obesity, hypoestrogenic/hyperandrogenic disorders, and bone health. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> <sc>d</sc>-Chiro-inositol mode of action has been studied in detail in recent years, resulting in a clear differentiation between <sc>d</sc>-chiro-inositol and its isomer myo-inositol. The insulin-sensitizing activities of <sc>d</sc>-chiro-inositol are well understood; however, its potential applications in other fields, in particular obesity and hyperestrogenic/hypoandrogenic disorders in men and women, represent promising avenues of research that require further clinical study.