This study aims to characterize in vitro D-chiro-inositol intestinal absorption and identify factors able to improve its bioavailability. D-chiro-inositol, one of the natural occurring stereoisomer ...of myo-inositol, acts as a second messenger in insulin-regulated glucose metabolism in complementary mode with myo-inositol. Because of their insulin-mimetic activities and safety, both myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol are often employed as supplements in insulin-resistance treatment.
Trans-epithelial passage of D-chiro-inositol was evaluated in the human intestinal Caco-2 cell line differentiated on filter, a widely established in vitro model to study intestinal absorption. D-chiro-inositol transport was assayed in a concentration range corresponding to an estimated in vivo concentration following oral supplementation. α-Lactalbumin peptides, obtained by in vitro simulated gastrointestinal digestion, were tested as possible modulators of the intestinal permeability of D-chiro-inositol.
The absorption of this stereoisomer was relatively low and presumably due to passive diffusion, while it was greatly enhanced by the presence of α-Lactalbumin digest. α-Lactalbumin peptides induced an increase in paracellular permeability that was completely reversible, indicating lack of cytotoxicity. This effect involved temporary rearrangement of F-actin apical cytoskeleton and of the tight junction protein ZO-1.
Although further studies are required to identify and characterize the most effective peptides, the ability of α-Lactalbumin digest to act as absorption enhancers may have very interesting and promising applications in the fields of nutritional supplements and pharmacology.
Abstract Diet is a critical factor for the development of both embryo and fetus, as well as maternal health. In particular, two natural molecules have been shown to exert beneficial effects on ...fertility, pregnancy wellness and embryo development: myo-inositol and melatonin, whose requirements increase during pregnancy. In the present review, we summarize the most important functions of melatonin and myo-inositol on male and female reproductive systems (oocyte quality and development, sperm quality), on the maintenance of a physiological pregnancy and on embryo development.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility due to menstrual dysfunction, and the most promising treatments for this disease are insulin sensitising agents. Myo-inositol ...and D-chiro-inositol are insulin sensitizing agents used in PCOS treatment. In the present paper, we aimed to compare the effects myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol on oocyte quality in euglycemic PCOS patients.
Eighty-four euglycemic PCOS patients, undergoing ovulation induction for ICSI, were recruited for this study. Forty-three participants received MyoInositol 2 g twice a day and forty-one patients received D-chiro inositol 0.6 g twice a day.
The results of our study showed that the total number of oocytes retrieved did not differ in the two treatments groups. However, the number of mature oocytes was significantly increased in the myo-inositol group compared to D-chiro-inositol. Concurrently, the number of immature oocytes decreased in myo-inositol treated patients. Furthermore, the myo-inositol-treated group showed an increase in the mean number of top quality embryos and in the total number of pregnancies compared to the D-chiro-inositol-treated group.
Our data show that, in PCOS patients having a normal insulin response, myo-inositol treatment rather than D-chiro-inositol is able to improve oocyte and embryo quality during ovarian stimulation protocols.
Contribution of myo-inositol to reproduction Papaleo, E; Unfer, V; Baillargeon, J.P ...
European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology,
12/2009, Letnik:
147, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Abstract Myo-inositol is involved in several aspects of human reproduction. Elevated concentrations of myo-inositol in human follicular fluids appear to play a positive function in follicular ...maturity and provide a marker of good quality oocytes. Nevertheless its positive role in PCOS women is a consequence of a defect in the insulin signaling pathway (inositol-containing phosphoglycan mediators) that seems to be primarily implicated in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance. This article will review the involvement of inositol in female reproduction. After describing the biologic function of inositol and its derivatives, studies are quoted in which the role of inositol in fertility, oogenesis, and polycystic ovary syndrome are examined.
Pheromones are ectohormones that play an important role in communication and behavior. Pheromones and pheromone receptor genes are important in mice and other mammals that rely heavily on pheromone ...cues to survive. Although there is controversy about whether pheromones and pheromone receptor genes have the same importance or are even active in humans, there are some hints that they might have roles in sociosexual behavior and mental disorders. The aim of this qualitative review was to provide an overview of the state of the art regarding pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans and their possible implications in human physiology and pathology. An electronic search was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed and Scopus databases for articles published in English up to December 2018. The search concerned a possible role of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans with implications for sociosexual behavior, mental disorders, the menstrual cycle and nutrition. Pheromone communication in humans has not been definitively demonstrated. However, the potential ability of putative pheromones to activate the hypothalamus, which controls the release of many hormones, suggests they could have a role in systemic functions in humans. Future confirmation of the effects of pheromones and pheromone receptors in humans could be useful in the prevention and treatment of various human disorders.
Infertility is a worldwide problem and male partner contributes to almost 30% of cases of infertility. The term oligoasthenoteratospermia is related to defective spermatogenesis and is characterized ...by a reduction of motility and number of spermatozoa and a change in their morphology. Electron microscopes are frequently used in order to evaluate sperm pathology and overall to establish a correlation between structural and functional deficiencies of altered sperm. High levels of reactive oxygen species endanger sperm function and viability. The correlation between male infertility, reactive oxygen species levels and the innovative therapeutic strategy employing inositol has been highlighted through analysis of literature data.
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo-inositol treatment in hirsute women; changes in lipid pattern and insulin sensitivity were also considered. Forty-six hirsute women ...were enrolled at the first Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology and evaluated at baseline and after receiving myo-inositol therapy for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI), hirsutism, serum concentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), serum adrenal and ovarian androgens, fasting glucose and insulin concentrations were evaluated. No changes in BMI were observed. The hirsutism decreased after therapy ( P < 0.001). Total androgens, FSH and LH concentrations decreased while oestradiol concentrations increased. There was a slight non-significant decrease in total cholesterol concentrations, an increase in HDL cholesterol concentrations and a decrease in LDL cholesterol concentrations. No significant changes were observed in serum triglyceride, apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) concentrations. Insulin resistance ( P < 0.01), analysed by homeostasis model assessment, was reduced significantly after therapy. Administration of oral myo-inositol significantly reduced hirsutism and hyperandrogenism and ameliorated the abnormal metabolic profile of women with hirsutism.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder that affects a large proportion of women. Due to its heterogeneity, the best diagnostic strategy has been a matter of contention. ...Since 1990 scientific societies in the field of human reproduction have tried to define the pivotal criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS. The consensus Rotterdam diagnostic criteria included the presence of hyperandrogenism, oligo/anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), and have now been updated to evidence based diagnostic criteria in the 2018 and 2023 International Guideline diagnostic criteria endorsed by 39 societies internationally. Within the Rotterdam Criteria, at least two out of three of the above-mentioned features are required to be present to diagnose PCOS, resulting in four phenotypes being identified: phenotype A, characterized by the presence of all the features, phenotype B, exhibiting hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation, phenotype C, presenting as hyperandrogenism and PCOM and finally the phenotype D that is characterized by oligo-anovulation and PCOM, lacking the hyperandrogenic component. However, it is the hypothesis of the EGOI group that the Rotterdam phenotypes A, B, and C have a different underlying causality to phenotype D. Recent studies have highlighted the strong correlation between insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, and the pivotal role of these factors in driving ovarian alterations, such as oligo-anovulation and follicular functional cyst formation. This new understanding of PCOS pathogenesis has led the authors to hypothesis that phenotypes A, B, and C are endocrine-metabolic syndromes with a metabolic clinical onset. Conversely, the absence of hyperandrogenism and metabolic disturbances in phenotype D suggests a different origin of this condition, and point towards novel pathophysiological mechanisms; however, these are still not fully understood. Further questions have been raised regarding the suitability of the “phenotypes” described by the Rotterdam Criteria by the publication by recent GWAS studies, which demonstrated that these phenotypes should be considered clinical subtypes as they are not reflected in the genetic picture. Hence, by capturing the heterogeneity of this complex disorder, current diagnostic criteria may benefit from a reassessment and the evaluation of additional parameters such as insulin resistance and endometrial thickness, with the purpose of not only improving their diagnostic accuracy but also of assigning an appropriate and personalized treatment. In this framework, the present overview aims to analyze the diagnostic criteria currently recognized by the scientific community and assess the suitability of their application in clinical practice in light of the newly emerging evidence.
•The Rotterdam clinical subtypes represent different manifestations of PCOS, however; they remain mostly ignored in study design and clinical practice. These exhibit differences that should be considered for diagnosis and tailored therapy.•The diagnostic tools adopted by physicians rely on parameters and techniques which require further revision, as also noted by the ESHRE commission. The diagnosis of PCOS should be updated and renewed according to the most recent literature.•A correlation between insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism has indicated how these factors may contribute to ovarian alterations. Consequently, PCOS subtypes A, B, and C may be endocrine-metabolic syndromes with a metabolic clinical onset.•Clinical subtype D lacks hyperandrogenic features and exhibits a lower incidence of metabolic and endocrine issues. Therefore, it could be described as the only subtype with a solely ovarian pathogenesis.
Inositol is a component of the vitamin B complex. Myo-inositol (MYO) is the most biologically important form in nature. It is involved in several systemic processes and in mechanisms of signal ...transduction in the plasma membrane as precursor of second messengers. On the male reproductive function, MYO appears to regulate seminal plasma osmolarity and volume; the expression of proteins essential for embryogenetic development and sperm chemiotaxis; and sperm motility, capacitation, and acrosome reaction. Recently, a seminal antioxidant action has also been suggested.
To evaluate the effects of MYO on sperm mitochondrial function and apoptosis.
Spermatozoa isolated from 5 normozoospermic men and from 7 patients with oligo-astheno-teratozoospermia (OAT) were incubated in-vitro with 2 mg/ml of MYO or placebo (control) for 2 hours. After this incubation period, the following sperm parameters were evaluated by flow cytometry: mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by JC-1 staining; phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization by annexin V and propidium iodide double staining; and chromatin compactness following propidium iodide staining.
MYO did not affect the mitochondrial function of spermatozoa isolated from normozoospermic men, whereas it increased significantly the number of spermatozoa with high MMP and decreased significantly the number of those with low MMP in OAT patients. No effect of MYO was observed on PS externalization and chromatin compactness in both normozoospermic men and OAT patients.
The data suggest that MYO is able to ameliorate mitochondrial function in OAT patients. We conclude that this compound may be useful for the treatment of male infertility.
Neuropathic pain during pregnancy is a common condition due to the physical changes and compression around pregnancy and childbirth that make pregnant women more prone to develop several medical ...conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica, meralgia paraesthetica and other nerve entrapment syndromes. Most of the treatments usually performed to counteract neuropathic pain are contraindicated in pregnancy so that, the management of these highly invalidating conditions remains an issue in the clinical practice. We aimed to review the efficacy and safety of alpha lipoic acid supplementation in the treatment of neuropathic pain.
Lipoic acid is a co-factor essential in the regulation of mitochondrial energy. It has been demonstrated that lipoic acid supplementation is involved in several biochemical processes and actions, exerting important antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and significantly improving pain and paraesthesia in patients with sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetic neuropathy.
Efficacy of lipoic acid is combined with a high safety profile, making this molecule a novel candidate for the management of several diseases. Data reported so far are promising and dietary supplementation with lipoic acid seems a useful tool to contrast neuropathic pain during pregnancy.
