Micronutrients in support to the one carbon cycle for the modulation of blood fasting homocysteine in PCOS women

Abstract

Purpose Fasting blood homocysteine is increased in PCOS women and is involved in several of its co-morbidities including cardiovascular disease and infertility. Corrective interventions based on the administration of supra-physiologic doses of folic acid work to a low extent. We aimed to test an alternative approach. Methods This was a prospective, randomized, parallel group, open label, controlled versus no treatment clinical study. PCOS women aged > 18, free from systemic diseases and from pharmacological treatments were randomized with a 2:1 ratio for treatment with activated micronutrients in support to the carbon cycle (Impryl, Parthenogen, Switzerland-n = 22) or no treatment (n = 10) and followed-up for 3 months. Fasting blood homocysteine, AMH, testosterone, SHBGs, and the resulting FTI were tested before and at the end of the follow-up. Results The mean baseline fasting blood homocysteine was above the normal limit of 12 μMol/L and inversely correlated with SHBG. AMH was also increased, whereas testosterone, SHBG, and FTI were within the normal limit. The treatment achieved a significant reduction of homocysteine, that did not change in the control group, independently of the starting value. The treatment also caused an increase of AMH and a decrease of SHBGs only in the subgroup with a normal homocysteine at baseline. Conclusions In PCOS ladies, blood homocysteine is increased and inversely correlated with the SHBGs. Physiologic amounts of activated micronutrients in support to the carbon cycle achieve a reduction virtually in all exposed patients. Whether this is of clinical benefit remains to be established.

Association of three missense mutations in the homocysteine-related MTHFR and MTRR gene with risk of polycystic ovary syndrome in Southern Chinese women

“…Homocysteine is a protein that is synthesized in the body and, ideally, is in low concentrations in the blood [35]. Elevated homocysteine is a risk factor for many diseases, including PCOS and cardiovascular disease [36][37][38][39][40][41]. Therefore, our finding of the association between the homocysteine-related mutations and PCOS supports previous studies.…”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Brain Disorder Characterized by Eating Problems Originating during Puberty and Adolescence

“…In such circumstances, dietary folic acid supplement use can reduce serum tHcy and improve the depressive status of individuals with eating disorders [78]. Similarly, a cocktail of 1C metabolites (including betaine, cobalamin and folate) offered to young women with PCOS was found to reduce fasting serum tHcy and to increase serum AMH concentrations [79]. To date, however, no study has directly assessed the effects of dietary disturbances in 1C metabolism during adolescence on psychological stress, eating disorders and PCOS combined.…”

Vitamin B₃ (niacin), B₆, C, and iron intake are associated with the free androgen index, especially in normoandrogenic polycystic ovary syndrome

“…The re-methylation process involves folate, B 2 , B 3 , and zinc, while the transsulfuration process involves B 6 and zinc. Meanwhile, it has been reported that blood homocysteine levels were negatively correlated with SHBG concentrations ( 28 ). Therefore, the association of FAI with vitamins B 2 , B 3 , B 6 , folate, and zinc may be mediated by SHBG concentrations.…”