Effects of Resveratrol on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Trial

J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016 Nov;101(11):4322-4328. doi: 10.1210/jc.2016-1858. Epub 2016 Oct 18.

Abstract

Context: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy affecting women of reproductive age. Hyperandrogenism is the central feature of PCOS. Studies on isolated ovarian theca-interstitial cells suggest that resveratrol, a natural polyphenol, reduces androgen production.

Objective: This study was designed to evaluate endocrine and metabolic effects of resveratrol on PCOS.

Design and setting: This was a randomized (1:1) double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that evaluated the effects of resveratrol over a period of 3 months in an academic hospital.

Patients and other participants: Subjects with PCOS were identified according to the Rotterdam criteria. Thirty-four subjects were enrolled and 30 subjects completed the trial. Evaluations were performed at baseline and repeated after 3 months of treatment.

Intervention: Resveratrol (1,500 mg p.o.) or placebo were administered daily.

Main outcome measure: Primary outcome was the change in the serum total T.

Results: Resveratrol treatment led to a significant decrease of total T by 23.1% (P = .01). In parallel, resveratrol induced a 22.2% decrease of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (P = .01), a decrease of fasting insulin level by 31.8% (P = .007) and an increase of the Insulin Sensitivity Index (Matsuda and DeFronzo) by 66.3% (P = .04). Levels of gonadotropins, the lipid profile as well as markers of inflammation and endothelial function were not significantly altered.

Conclusions: Resveratrol significantly reduced ovarian and adrenal androgens. This effect may be, at least in part, related to an improvement of insulin sensitivity and a decline of insulin level.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01720459.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antioxidants / administration & dosage
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / blood*
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Insulin / blood*
  • Insulin Resistance*
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Resveratrol
  • Stilbenes / administration & dosage
  • Stilbenes / pharmacology*
  • Testosterone / blood*

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Insulin
  • Stilbenes
  • Testosterone
  • Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate
  • Resveratrol

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01720459