Efficacy of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

J Obstet Gynaecol. 2013 Apr;33(3):289-91. doi: 10.3109/01443615.2012.751365.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and to compare the clinical, hormonal, TNF-α and resistin levels in the patients treated with omega-3. A total of 45 non-obese PCOS women were studied. Women were treated with daily oral 1,500 mg of omega-3 for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI), hirsutism score, fasting glucose and insulin levels were noted for each case. Hirsutism was assessed at 6-month intervals using the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) scoring system. Hormonal, TNF-α and resistin levels at 6 months of therapy were compared with baseline values. BMI, F-G scoring, insulin and HOMA levels decreased significantly during treatment, but glucose levels did not change. In the hormonal profile, serum LH and testosterone levels decreased and sex hormone-binding globulin levels increased significantly after the 6 months of therapy. On the other hand, TNF-α levels showed a significant increase, whereas resistin levels showed no change. Omega-3 may be also effective in improving hirsutism and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Hirsutism / drug therapy
  • Homeostasis
  • Hormones / blood*
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / blood
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Glucose
  • Hormones
  • Insulin
  • Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha
  • Eicosapentaenoic Acid