Evaluation of vitamin D status and its correlation with oxidative stress markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Background: There is little evidence about antioxidant properties of vitamin D. Recent studies suggest that oxidative stress may play a major role in the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome [PCOS], but the association of vitamin D with oxidative stress is still not known in PCOS

Objective: The goal of the present study was to evaluate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and oxidative stress markers in PCOS group compared to control group

Materials and Methods: 60 PCOS women [20-40 yr old] and 90 healthy women as control group were participated in this case-control study. Fasting serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D 25[OH] D, glucose, insulin, calcium, malondialdehyde [MDA], protein carbonyl [PC], also homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance [HOMA-IR] and fasting glucose to insulin ratio [FGIR] were measured

Results: It was found that the mean of serum 25[OH]D was lower in the PCOS group [10.76+/-4.17] than in the control group [12.07+/-6.26] but this difference was not statistically significant [p=0.125]. Fasting insulin, HOMA-IR and MDA were significantly higher in the PCOS patients as compared to the controls, whereas PC level did not differ for the two groups [p=0.156]. No significant correlations were found between 25[OH] D levels and oxidative stress markers [MDA and PC]

Conclusion: The findings indicated no significant differences in the serum 25[OH] D levels between the PCOS patients and the matched controls. Also, no correlation was found between the serum vitamin D levels and oxidative stress markers in both groups

Effect of metformin and flutamide on anthropometric indices and laboratory tests in obese/overweight PCOS women under hypocaloric diet

This study was designed to investigate the effect of metformin and flutamide alone or in combination with anthropometric indices and laboratory tests of obese/overweight PCOS women under hypocaloric diet. This single blind clinical trial was performed on 120 PCOS women. At the beginning, hypocaloric diet was recommended for the patients. After one month while they were on the diet, the patients were randomly divided in 4 groups; metformin [500 mg, 3/day], flutamide [250 mg, 2/day], combined, metformin [500 mg, 3/day] with flutamide [250 mg, 2/day] and finally placebo group. The patients were treated for 6 months. Anthropometric indices and laboratory tests [fasting and glucose-stimulated insulin levels, lipid profile and androgens] were measured. A one-way ANOVA [Post Hoc] and paired t-test were performed to analyze data. A p