ESPE Abstracts

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by clinical and/or biochemical hyperandrogenism, oligo-anovulation and/or ultrasound finding of polycystic ovaries. Insulin-resistance represents the etiopathogenetic key of PCOS: a deficit of Inositol’s tissue availability seems to be responsible for this clinical picture. Hyperglycemia resulting insulin-resistance, determines a state of chronic inflammation, which increases oxidative stress.

Objective and hypotheses: To evaluate the efficacy of a new therapeutic approach of PCOS, based on Alternative Insulin Sensitizers as Inositol and α-Lipoic Acid (natural antioxidant, which reduces oxidative stress) dose 400 mg +1000 mg, twice daily, for 6 months of treatment, in a group of PCOS adolescents, followed at the Pediatric Endocrinology and Adolescentology Clinic of L’Aquila.

Method: Our study considered 10 female adolescents (14.6±2.8 years). Anthropometric data were assessed both at baseline time (time 0) and after therapeutic intervention (time 1) together with oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), luteinizing hormone releasing hormone stimulation test (LHRHT) and hormonal profile.

Results: Weight and BMI undergo an improvement with therapy. Significant are the improvement of level of Testosterone and Cholesterol and serum LH concentration after LHRHT, with 6 months of treatment, as well as glycaemia and insulin sensitivity. We also demonstrate a positive correlation between the decrease of LH levels and the improvement of Testosterone, DHEAS, D4-Androstenedione and Total Cholestero. Moreover all teenagers show various degree of improvement of hirsutism and acne and regularization of the menstrual cycle (Table 1).

Conclusion: PCOS treatment based on Alternative Insulin Sensitizers as Inositol and α-Lipoic Acid represents the most suitable choice for adolescent patients instead of classic insulin sensitizer, such as Metformin, often burdened with numerous side effects.