Decrease in the level of nervonic acid and increased gamma linolenic acid in the plasma of women with polycystic ovary syndrome after a three-month low-glycaemic index and caloric reduction diet

Abstract

The aetiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains uncertain and thus dedicated studies are still of much importance. Patients in this group are at high risk for metabolic syndrome, diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Our goal was to use a dietary intervention, facilitating the regression of the disease, through the observation of lipid and hormonal profiles, carbohydrate metabolic parameters and metabolomics of plasma fatty acids. There were 39 Caucasian women with PCOS aged 26.76 ±5.08 that qualified for this study. Fatty acid profiles were investigated using gas chromatography. The results of plasma fatty acids were compared with the initial results and the control group. A three-month caloric reduction diet with low glycemic index (GI) reduces the level of nervonic acid and is a great alternative in PCOS therapy. The introduction of rapeseed oil and olive oil to the lowered GI reduction diet caused the increase in the ratio of average length chain fatty acids (C10:0, C14:0) and the enhancement of synthesis pathways for pentadecanoic acid (C15:0) and gamma-linolenic acid (GLA, C18:3n-6), but did not inhibit the synthesis of the derivatives of arachidic acid (C20:0). Additionally, a decrease in the level of nervonic acid (C24:1) was observed. Biochemical analysis of blood showed the improvement of plasma lipid fractions, but a significant reduction of androgen levels was not observed.

Keywords

• polycystic ovary syndrome
• fatty acids
• nervonic acid
• gamma linolenic acid
• dietary intervention
• reduction diet
• glycaemic index