Berberine could the new safe food supplement, useful and effective in the treatment strategy in case of polycystic ovary syndrome (Pcos). Indications come from a study published in Nutrients.
Berberine has been shown to be effective in reducing insulin resistance and obesity. In particular, it reduces, in terms of volume and mass, visceral adipose tissue that is related to cardiovascular risk, in vitro and in mouse models. In humans, some authors have hypothesized how insulin resistance is the key factor that would lead to obesity and anovulatory cycles in patients with Pcos and have shown that berberine induces an improvement in insulin resistance and an improvement in the regularity of menstrual cycles when administered orally. In addition, other authors observed a reduction in C-reactive protein values, which is an index of inflammation, in women with Pcos and obesity after taking berberine for two months
The study enrolled 12 overweight women with Pcos and normal menstruation. The aim was to evaluate the effect of berberine, through pre- and post-intervention investigation, on a wide scale of metabolic and inflammatory parameters such as: insulin resistance by evaluation of the Homa index, lipid metabolism, inflammation by evaluation of C-reactive protein and Tnf-α, sex hormones and symptoms related to hyperandrogenism such as acne, evaluated by the Global acne grading system and the Cardiff acne disability index. In addition, changes in body composition, i.e., lean mass, fat mass, Vat, were assessed using the Dxa, a gold standard tool for body composition assessment.
An intervention study was conducted on a group of subjects only, analyzing pre- and post-intervention data. A berberine extract in combination with sunflower lecithin, pea protein, and grape seed extract, so-called Berberine Fitosome Bbr-Pp, standardized was used.
The amount of Berberine Fitosome was 550 mg twice daily for 60 days.
Results showed a statistically significant decrease in the Homa index used to detect insulin resistance, blood glucose, and insulin levels after 30 and 60 days of supplementation. In addition, supplementation also modulated the lipid profile, with significant decrease in V-Ldl and triglycerides, and the hormonal pattern, with statistically significant efficacy on the modulation of testosterone and sex hormone-binding globulin. Of particular interest is the significant decrease in acne symptoms and an improvement in body composition: reduction in BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, W/H ratio, Vat, total mass, fat mass. Significant results were also observed in the inflammatory response with reduction in Pcr and Tnf-α values.
Berberine may have a positive activity in reducing insulin resistance, acne, androgenism and inflammation, regulating lipid metabolism and improving body composition. Thus, it may represent a new strategy for the management of Pcos.
Source: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/10/3665?utm_campaign=releaseissue_nutrientsutm_medium=emailutm_source=releaseissueutm_term=titlelink265
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