Polycystic Ovary Syndrome In Adolescence: New Therapeutic Approach With Inositol And Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach in adolescents with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), based on Alternative Insulin Sensitizers as Inositol and α-Lipoic Acid, natural antioxidant, at the dose, twice daily. Design: Retrospective study. Setting: University of L’Aquila, San Salvatore Hospital, Pediatric Department Patients: 26 female adolescents (mean age 14.7 ± 1.9) Intervention: Therapeutic approach with inositol and alpha-lipoic acid for 6 months Main outcome measures: Anthropometric data were assessed both at baseline time (time 0) and after therapeutic intervention (time 1) together with oral glucose tolerance test, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone stimulation test and hormonal profile. Results: After a six-months treatment, the patients showed a reduction in body weight and BMI(24.25 ± 5.21 vs 23.54 ± 4.97, p 0,01), significant improvement of Testosterone (0.60 ± 0.37 vs 0.45 ± 0.19, p 0,03), Triglycerides (75.07 ± 24.84 vs 64.61 ± 30.05, p 0,008) and serum basal luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration (5.24 ± 2.96 vs 4.34 ± 2.60), as well as augmented insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR 2.41 ± 1.71 vs 1.67 ± 2.05, p 0,03).We also found a positive correlation between the decrease of LH levels and Testosterone levels, DHEAS, D4-Androstenedione and Total Cholesterol. Moreover all adolescents showed hirsutism and acne reduction and the menstrual cycle regularisation. Conclusion: In adolescents with PCOS, treatment based on Alternative Insulin Sensitizers as Inositol and α-Lipoic Acid represents the most suitable choice both for clinical evidence of efficacy and for the absence of side effects.