Effect of calcium and vitamin D supplements as adjuvant therapy to metformin on insulin sensitivity and anthropometric indexes in polycystic ovary syndrome patients

Abstract EN

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among females of reproductive age.

Many PCOS subjects suffer from insulin resistance and increasing body weight.

Several studies have suggested a possible link between calcium and vitamin D deficiency and the development of insulin resistance.

Moreover, some reports have showed beneficial effects for calcium and vitamin D in reducing body weight and improving anthropometric indexes, but data about the efficiency of these effects on PCOS patients still limited.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplements, as an adjuvant therapy to metformin, on insulin sensitivity and anthropometric indexes in vitamin D deficient/ insufficient PCOS patients (i.e.

serum 25-hydroxy-Vitamin D< 30 ng/mL).

40 PCOS women were randomly assigned to take either metformin (1500 mg/daily) plus calcium (1000 mg/daily) and vitamin D3(6000 IU/daily) or metformin (1500 mg/daily) plus placebo orally for 8 weeks.

Fasting glucose metabolism parameters (glucose, insulin, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance "HOMA-IR" and β-cell function "HOMA B", Raynaud's index "RI" and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index "QUICKI") and anthropometric parameters (weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist to hip) were assessed at the baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention.

Of 40 participates, 34 patients completed the study.

RI and QUICKI levels increased significantly in the supplementation group, and the differences in the means of changes between the two groups were significant in RI (p value= 0.039) and trend to be significant in QUICKI (p value= 0.073).

On the other hand, no significant changes were noticed on glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, or HOMA-B.

Anthropometric indexes decreased significantly in both groups.

Although the reduction was higher in the supplementation group, no significant differences in the means of changes were noticed between the two groups.

As conclusion, adding calcium and vitamin D supplements to metformin in vitamin D deficient/insufficient PCOS subjects, improved insulin sensitivity with no effects on weight, BMI or other studied anthropometric parameters.