NCT04881851

Brief Summary

The aim of this double-blinded, three-armed randomized controlled trial (RCT) is to evaluate the effects of a 6 months treatment with inositol alone or inositol associated with alpha-lipoic acid in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The study population is composed of 90 women with PCOS (diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria). Subjects are randomized to one of the 3 arms of treatment (Inositol + alpha lipoic acid + folic acid vs inositol + folic acid vs folic acid alone). At recruitment and after 6 months of treatment, the following data are collected:

  • clinical data: height, weight, BMI, waist and hip circumference, blood pressure, Ferriman Gallwey Score, menstrual diary
  • endocrine parameters (serum total and free testosterone levels, SHBG levels)
  • metabolic profile: glycemia and insulinemia at fasting and after oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), serum lipids
  • insulin-sensitivity measured by the hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp and surrogate indexes
  • ovarian ultrasound data. Furthermore, ovulation is evaluated from the 2nd to the 6th month of the study through progesterone serial dosages on weekly urinary samples. The primary outcome of the study is the serum free testosterone variation after 6 months of treatment. Secondary outcomes are the variations of lipid profile, ovarian morphology and insulin-sensitivity after 6 months and the number of ovulations occurring in the last 4 months of treatment.

Trial Health

57
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
76

participants targeted

Target at P50-P75 for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started May 2015

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
terminated

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

May 7, 2015

Completed
6 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

May 5, 2021

Completed
6 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

May 11, 2021

Completed
3.9 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

March 31, 2025

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

March 31, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

April 16, 2025

Status Verified

April 1, 2025

Enrollment Period

9.9 years

First QC Date

May 5, 2021

Last Update Submit

April 11, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

Inositolalpha-lipoic acid

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

  • Free testosterone variation

    Free testosterone variation after 6 months of treatment

    6 months

Secondary Outcomes (4)

  • Insulin sensitivity variation

    6 months

  • Lipid profile variation

    6 months

  • Ovarian morphology variation

    6 months

  • Number of ovulations in the last 4 months of treatment

    4 months

Study Arms (3)

Inositol + alpha lipoic acid

EXPERIMENTAL

Inositol 1000 mg + alpha lipoic acid 400 mg + folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Dietary Supplement: Inositol + alpha lipoic acid

Inositol

EXPERIMENTAL

Inositol 1000 mg + folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Dietary Supplement: Inositol

Folic acid

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Dietary Supplement: Folic acid (placebo comparator)

Interventions

Inositol 1000 mg + alpha lipoic acid 400 mg + folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Inositol + alpha lipoic acid
InositolDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT

Inositol 1000 mg + folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Inositol

Folic acid 200 ug: 1 sachet at breakfast and 1 sachet at dinner

Folic acid

Eligibility Criteria

Age18 Years - 40 Years
Sexfemale
Healthy VolunteersNo
Age GroupsAdult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

  • female subjects
  • age between 18 and 40 years old
  • diagnosed with PCOS (according to the Rotterdam criteria)
  • not use of possible interfering drugs in the 4 previous months
  • written informed consent.

You may not qualify if:

  • BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2
  • acute illnesses
  • chronic kidney or hepatic disease
  • pregnant
  • taking possible interfering drugs

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism Section, Department of Medicine, University of Verona and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata of Verona

Verona, 37126, Italy

Location

Related Publications (33)

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    PMID: 7651477BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 9408743BACKGROUND
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  • Fleming R, Hopkinson ZE, Wallace AM, Greer IA, Sattar N. Ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with oligomenorrhea treated with metformin in a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2002 Feb;87(2):569-74. doi: 10.1210/jcem.87.2.8261.

    PMID: 11836287BACKGROUND
  • Azziz R, Ehrmann D, Legro RS, Whitcomb RW, Hanley R, Fereshetian AG, O'Keefe M, Ghazzi MN; PCOS/Troglitazone Study Group. Troglitazone improves ovulation and hirsutism in the polycystic ovary syndrome: a multicenter, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2001 Apr;86(4):1626-32. doi: 10.1210/jcem.86.4.7375.

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    PMID: 22592687BACKGROUND
  • Thessaloniki ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS Consensus Workshop Group. Consensus on infertility treatment related to polycystic ovary syndrome. Hum Reprod. 2008 Mar;23(3):462-77. doi: 10.1093/humrep/dem426.

    PMID: 18308833BACKGROUND
  • Barua S, Kuizon S, Junaid MA. Folic acid supplementation in pregnancy and implications in health and disease. J Biomed Sci. 2014 Aug 19;21(1):77. doi: 10.1186/s12929-014-0077-z.

    PMID: 25135350BACKGROUND
  • Saltiel AR. Second messengers of insulin action. Diabetes Care. 1990 Mar;13(3):244-56. doi: 10.2337/diacare.13.3.244.

    PMID: 2137771BACKGROUND
  • Baillargeon JP, Diamanti-Kandarakis E, Ostlund RE Jr, Apridonidze T, Iuorno MJ, Nestler JE. Altered D-chiro-inositol urinary clearance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes Care. 2006 Feb;29(2):300-5. doi: 10.2337/diacare.29.02.06.dc05-1070.

    PMID: 16443877BACKGROUND
  • Fenkci V, Fenkci S, Yilmazer M, Serteser M. Decreased total antioxidant status and increased oxidative stress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may contribute to the risk of cardiovascular disease. Fertil Steril. 2003 Jul;80(1):123-7. doi: 10.1016/s0015-0282(03)00571-5.

    PMID: 12849813BACKGROUND
  • Giordano D, Corrado F, Santamaria A, Quattrone S, Pintaudi B, Di Benedetto A, D'Anna R. Effects of myo-inositol supplementation in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome: a perspective, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Menopause. 2011 Jan;18(1):102-4. doi: 10.1097/gme.0b013e3181e8e1b1.

    PMID: 20811299BACKGROUND
  • Capasso I, Esposito E, Maurea N, Montella M, Crispo A, De Laurentiis M, D'Aiuto M, Frasci G, Botti G, Grimaldi M, Cavalcanti E, Esposito G, Fucito A, Brillante G, D'Aiuto G, Ciliberto G. Combination of inositol and alpha lipoic acid in metabolic syndrome-affected women: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. Trials. 2013 Aug 28;14:273. doi: 10.1186/1745-6215-14-273.

    PMID: 23981814BACKGROUND
  • Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, Tritschler HJ, Maerker E, Renn W, Augustin HJ, Dietze GJ, Rett K. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radic Biol Med. 1999 Aug;27(3-4):309-14. doi: 10.1016/s0891-5849(99)00089-1.

    PMID: 10468203BACKGROUND
  • Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Reamer P, Gunn RD, Allan G. Ovulatory and metabolic effects of D-chiro-inositol in the polycystic ovary syndrome. N Engl J Med. 1999 Apr 29;340(17):1314-20. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199904293401703.

    PMID: 10219066BACKGROUND
  • Iuorno MJ, Jakubowicz DJ, Baillargeon JP, Dillon P, Gunn RD, Allan G, Nestler JE. Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocr Pract. 2002 Nov-Dec;8(6):417-23. doi: 10.4158/EP.8.6.417.

    PMID: 15251831BACKGROUND
  • Gerli S, Mignosa M, Di Renzo GC. Effects of inositol on ovarian function and metabolic factors in women with PCOS: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2003 Nov-Dec;7(6):151-9.

    PMID: 15206484BACKGROUND
  • Cheang KI, Baillargeon JP, Essah PA, Ostlund RE Jr, Apridonize T, Islam L, Nestler JE. Insulin-stimulated release of D-chiro-inositol-containing inositolphosphoglycan mediator correlates with insulin sensitivity in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Metabolism. 2008 Oct;57(10):1390-7. doi: 10.1016/j.metabol.2008.05.008.

    PMID: 18803944BACKGROUND
  • Masharani U, Gjerde C, Evans JL, Youngren JF, Goldfine ID. Effects of controlled-release alpha lipoic acid in lean, nondiabetic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2010 Mar 1;4(2):359-64. doi: 10.1177/193229681000400218.

    PMID: 20307398BACKGROUND
  • Elnashar A, Abdelmageed E, Fayed M, Sharaf M. Clomiphene citrate and dexamethazone in treatment of clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome: a prospective placebo-controlled study. Hum Reprod. 2006 Jul;21(7):1805-8. doi: 10.1093/humrep/del053. Epub 2006 Mar 16.

    PMID: 16543255BACKGROUND
  • Rotterdam ESHRE/ASRM-Sponsored PCOS consensus workshop group. Revised 2003 consensus on diagnostic criteria and long-term health risks related to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Hum Reprod. 2004 Jan;19(1):41-7. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deh098.

    PMID: 14688154BACKGROUND
  • Kozakowski J, Zgliczynski W. Body composition, glucose metabolism markers and serum androgens - association in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Endokrynol Pol. 2013;64(2):94-100.

    PMID: 23653271BACKGROUND
  • Hatch R, Rosenfield RL, Kim MH, Tredway D. Hirsutism: implications, etiology, and management. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1981 Aug 1;140(7):815-30. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(81)90746-8.

    PMID: 7258262BACKGROUND
  • Matsuda M, DeFronzo RA. Insulin sensitivity indices obtained from oral glucose tolerance testing: comparison with the euglycemic insulin clamp. Diabetes Care. 1999 Sep;22(9):1462-70. doi: 10.2337/diacare.22.9.1462.

    PMID: 10480510BACKGROUND
  • Moghetti P, Tosi F, Castello R, Magnani CM, Negri C, Brun E, Furlani L, Caputo M, Muggeo M. The insulin resistance in women with hyperandrogenism is partially reversed by antiandrogen treatment: evidence that androgens impair insulin action in women. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Mar;81(3):952-60. doi: 10.1210/jcem.81.3.8772557.

    PMID: 8772557BACKGROUND
  • DeFronzo RA, Tobin JD, Andres R. Glucose clamp technique: a method for quantifying insulin secretion and resistance. Am J Physiol. 1979 Sep;237(3):E214-23. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.1979.237.3.E214.

    PMID: 382871BACKGROUND
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    PMID: 2756912BACKGROUND
  • Carlomagno G, Unfer V. Inositol safety: clinical evidences. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2011 Aug;15(8):931-6.

    PMID: 21845803BACKGROUND
  • Shay KP, Moreau RF, Smith EJ, Smith AR, Hagen TM. Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009 Oct;1790(10):1149-60. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2009.07.026. Epub 2009 Aug 4.

    PMID: 19664690BACKGROUND
  • Bae SM, Bae MN, Kim EY, Kim IK, Seo MW, Shin JK, Cho SR, Jeong GH. Recurrent Insulin Autoimmune Syndrome Caused by alpha-Lipoic Acid in Type 2 Diabetes. Endocrinol Metab (Seoul). 2013 Dec;28(4):326-30. doi: 10.3803/EnM.2013.28.4.326. Epub 2013 Dec 12.

    PMID: 24396698BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Interventions

InositolThioctic AcidFolic Acid

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Ovarian CystsCystsNeoplasmsOvarian DiseasesAdnexal DiseasesGenital Diseases, FemaleFemale Urogenital DiseasesFemale Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy ComplicationsUrogenital DiseasesGenital DiseasesGonadal DisordersEndocrine System Diseases

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Sugar AlcoholsAlcoholsOrganic ChemicalsCarbohydratesCarboxylic AcidsThiophenesSulfur CompoundsCoenzymesEnzymes and CoenzymesFatty AcidsLipidsPterinsPteridinesHeterocyclic Compounds, 2-RingHeterocyclic Compounds, Fused-RingHeterocyclic Compounds

Study Officials

  • Paolo Moghetti, Professor

    UniversitĂ  degli studi di Verona

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, CARE PROVIDER, INVESTIGATOR
Purpose
TREATMENT
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Model Details: Double blinded, three-armed RCT
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

May 5, 2021

First Posted

May 11, 2021

Study Start

May 7, 2015

Primary Completion

March 31, 2025

Study Completion

March 31, 2025

Last Updated

April 16, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

IPD Sharing
Will share

All individual participant data (IPD) that underlie results in publications will be shared

Shared Documents
STUDY PROTOCOL, CSR
Time Frame
Data will become available when the study will be completed. They will remain available for 3 years.
Access Criteria
Upon specified request.

Locations