(1) Background: Myoinositol (MI) and D-chiro-inositol (DCI) are involved in a number of biochemical pathways within oocytes having a role in oocyte maturation, fertilization, implantation, and post-implantation development. Both inositols have a role in insulin signaling and hormonal synthesis in the ovaries. (2) Methods: Literature search (with key words: inositols, myo-inositol, d-chiro-inositol, PCOS) was done in PubMed until Sept. 2020 and 197 articles were identified, of which 47 were of clinical trials (35 randomized controlled trials). (3) Results: Many studies have demonstrated that in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) MI treatment improved ovarian function and fertility, decreased the severity of hyperandrogenism including acne and hirsutism, positively affected metabolic aspects, and modulated various hormonal parameters deeply involved in the reproductive axis function and ovulation. Thus treating with MI has become a novel method to ameliorate PCOS symptoms, improve spontaneous ovulation, or induce ovulation. The current review is focused on the effects of MI and DCI alone or in combination with other agents on the pathological features of PCOS with focus on insulin resistance and adverse metabolic outcomes. (4) Conclusions: The available clinical data suggest that MI, DCI, and their combination in physiological ratio 40:1 with or without other compound could be beneficial for improving metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive aspects of PCOS.

In individuals with severe obesity, NC performs better than WC in the assessment of metabolic health.

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Myo-inositol treatment ameliorates insulin resistance and body weight, and improves ovarian activity in PCOS patients.

Background In the last decade, there has been an increased interest toward fat tissue as an endocrine organ that secretes many cytokines and bioactive mediators that play a role in insulin sensitivity, inflammation, coagulation and the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate classical (adiponectin, leptin, resistin) and new (chemerin, vaspin, omentin) adipocytokine levels in subjects with prediabetes [impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and/or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT)] and obese subjects with normoglycemia. Methods In this study, 80 patients with a mean age of 50.4 ± 10.6 years were recruited, divided into two groups with similar age and body mass index (BMI) - with obesity and normoglycemia (n = 41) and with obesity and prediabetes (n = 39). Results Serum adiponectin levels were significantly higher in subjects with normoglycemia compared to patients with prediabetes. Adiponectin has a good discriminating power to distinguish between patients with and without insulin resistance in our study population [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.728, p = 0.002]. Other adipocytokine levels were not significantly different between the two groups. The patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS) had significantly lower levels of leptin compared to those without MetS (33.03 ± 14.94 vs. 40.24 ± 12.23 ng/mL) and this difference persisted after adjustment for weight and BMI. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed that low serum leptin can predict the presence of MetS (p = 0.03), AUC = 0.645. Conclusion Serum adiponectin is statistically higher in patients with normoglycemia compared to those with prediabetes and has a predictive value for distinguishing between patients with and without insulin resistance in the studied population. Serum leptin has a good predictive value for distinguishing between patients with and without MetS in the studied population.

The aim of this review is to present the current data about the role of inositols in the management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) women and in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We analyzed the available literature with key words PCOS, Myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol, assisted reproductive technologies and GDM. The most recent literature would suggest that Myo-inositol, D-chiro-inositol and their combination in physiological ratio 40:1 could represent an important therapeutic strategy for the improvement of metabolic, hormonal and reproductive aspects of PCOS. In assisted reproductive technologies, however, myo-inositol and the combined treatment, despite D-chiro-inositol monotherapy, are able to improve clinical outcomes. Myo-inositol monotherapy results more effective in preventing and treating GDM even if a larger cohort of studies is needed to better clarify these results.

In the last years there is an increasing interest towards the bone as an endocrine organ and the role of bone and calcium-phosphate metabolism markers in a range of metabolic disturbances. The aim of the present study is to assess the changes of calcium phosphate metabolism markers in patients with prediabetes compared to normogycemic controls and their link to glucose disturbances and cardiovascular risk factors. In this study, 80 patients with mean age 50.4±10.6 years were included, divided into 2 age- and BMI-matched groups – group 1 with obesity without glycemic disturbances (n=41) and group 2 with obesity and prediabetes (n=39). Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) with measurement of immunoreactive insulin was performed in all participants and levels of PTH, 25(OH)D, FGF23, and Klotho were measured. We found significantly higher levels of FGF23 in patients with prediabetes compared to normal glucose tolerance subjects (10.4±10.7 vs. 5.8±7.3 pg/ml; p=0.03). FGF23 showed a weak positive correlation to fasting blood glucose (r=0.224; p=0.048) but not to blood glucose on the first and second hour of oral glucose tolerance test or insulin levels. There was extremely high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in both groups. Lower levels of 25(OH)D were observed in prediabetes group, although without statistical significance (p=0.57). Patients with prediabetes have higher FGF23 levels and higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency compared to normal glucose tolerance subjects. Elevated FGF23 levels seem to be correlated more to elevated fasting blood glucose levels than to insulin resistance state of the patients.

Circulating irisin levels progressively decreased with the worsening of the glucose tolerance. Irisin correlated well with traditional biochemical and anthropometric parameters of metabolic health.