Effect of folic acid in women with and without insulin resistance who have hyperhomocysteinemic polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of folic acid on homocysteine (Hcy) levels in women with insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in a prospective clinical trial.

METHOD: Of 210 women with PCOS, 70 were hyperhomocysteinemic; and of these, 32 were insulin resistant and 38 were not. The 70 women were treated with folic acid for 3 months. Baseline and serum levels of Hcy and insulin were measured in both groups.

RESULTS

In both groups Hcy concentrations were significantly decreased following folic acid supplementation. The mean+/-SD levels before and after treatment were 14.03+/-1.5 micromol/L and 12.53+/-1.72 micromol/L in group 1 (P<0.001), and they were 12.07+/-0.87 micromol/L and 8.83+/-0.78 micromol/L in group 2 (P<0.001).

CONCLUSION

The Hcy levels of hyperhomocysteinemic women with PCOS were reduced after 3 months of folic acid supplementation, and the rate of reduction was higher among women without insulin resistance. No change was found in fasting insulin levels.