Gynecological Endocrinology (Dec 2022)

Antioxidant supplements relieve insulin resistance but do not improve lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

  • Ruye Wang,
  • Chenyun Miao,
  • Yun Chen,
  • Ying Zhao,
  • Liuqing Yang,
  • Wei Cheng,
  • Qin Zhang

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/09513590.2022.2148648
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 38, no. 12
pp. 1047 – 1059

Abstract

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Objective: The effect of antioxidant supplements on glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate whether antioxidant supplements improve glucose metabolism and lipid profiles in women with PCOS to provide optimal nutritional supplement advice in clinical practice. Methods: The search was conducted across multiple medical databases from inception to January 1, 2022 and performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A random effects model was used to calculate the overall effects. Results: Eighteen trials (1113 participants) were included. Antioxidant supplements significantly improved insulin resistance (95% CI, −0.62, −0.30; p < 0.00001; I2 =48%), fasting insulin (95% CI, −0.80, −0.44; p < 0.00001; I2 = 48%), and fasting plasma glucose (95% CI, −0.54, −0.21; p < 0.00001; I2 = 38%) in patients with PCOS. However, antioxidant supplements were found to not improve most indices of lipid profiles in PCOS except triglyceride. Conclusions: Antioxidant supplements are an effective intervention for relieving insulin resistance but do not significantly improve lipid metabolism in women with PCOS.

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