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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on July 8, 2005
Human Reproduction 2005 20(9):2396-2401; doi:10.1093/humrep/dei104
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© The Author 2005. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions{at}oupjournals.org

Acarbose in obese patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study

I.A.A. Penna1,2, P.R.B. Canella2, R.M. Reis1, M.F. Silva de Sá1 and R.A. Ferriani1,3

1 Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP and 2 Institute of Gynecology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil

3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. Email: raferria{at}fmrp.usp.br

BACKGROUND: The present study assessed the effects of low-dose acarbose on obese patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: A double-blind placebo-controlled study was conducted on 30 obese hyperinsulinaemic women with PCOS treated with 150 mg/day acarbose or placebo for 6 months. The women were evaluated for hirsutism, menstrual regularity, body mass index (BMI), insulin resistance and glucose tolerance, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), LH, FSH, testosterone and androstenedione, and side-effects. RESULTS: The patients in the acarbose group showed a reduction in BMI (35.87±2.60 versus 33.10±2.94 kg/m2) and in the Ferriman–Gallwey index (8.85±2.31 versus 8±1.82), and an increased chance of menstrual regularity (rate=2.67). SHBG concentration increased (21.01±7.9 versus 23.85±7.77 nmol/l) and the free androgen index was reduced (14.81±9.06 versus 11.48±6.18). None of these parameters were modified in the placebo group. Mild side-effects occurred in 84% of the patients in the acarbose group and disappeared after the first 3 months. CONCLUSION: A low dose of acarbose administered to obese patients with PCOS promotes a reduction in free androgen index and BMI and an increase in SHBG, with improvement of hirsutism and of the menstrual pattern, and is well tolerated by patients.

Key words: acarbose/hypoglycaemic drugs/hyperinsulinaemia/polycystic ovarian syndrome


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