Is there a role for soy isoflavones in the therapeutic approach to polycystic ovary syndrome? Results from a pilot study

Objective

To evaluate the effect of the soy isoflavone genistein on the metabolic and hormonal disturbances of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), we studied a group of obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women presenting this syndrome during 6 months of phytoestrogen administration.

Design

Pilot prospective study.

Setting

Operative division of endocrinological gynecology in a university hospital.

Patient(s)

Twelve Caucasian obese, hyperinsulinemic, and dyslipidemic women with PCOS.

Intervention(s)

Patients received 36 mg/d of genistein for 6 months. Ultrasonographic pelvic exams, hormonal and lipid features, oral glucose tolerance test, and euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp were performed at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of treatment.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Basal hormonal assays, lipid profile, and glycoinsulinemic assessment.

Result(s)

Phytoestrogens supplementation significantly improved total cholesterol levels, reducing low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and resulting in a significant decrease in the LDL–high-density lipoprotein ratio (LDL-HDL). Triglycerides showed a trend toward decrease, whereas no changes were detected in very low–density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma levels. Genistein treatment did not significantly affect anthropometric features, the hormonal milieu, and menstrual cyclicity. No significant changes occurred in glycoinsulinemic metabolism.

Conclusion(s)

The possible advantages derived from the therapeutic use of phytoestrogens in PCOS are limited to improvement of the lipidic assessment.

Key Words: Genistein, insulin, obesity, PCOS, soy isoflavones