Role of vitamin D treatment in glucose metabolism in polycystic ovary syndrome

Objective: To determine the effect of treatment with vitamin D-3 analogue in the parameters of glucose metabolism in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Design: observational study. Setting: Obese women with PCOS in an academic research environment. Patient(s): Fifteen obese women (mean age 28 +/- 1.3 years, mean body mass index 32.55 +/- 0.43) with documented chronic anovulation and hyperandrogenism were recruited into the study. Intervention(s): Alphacalcidol (1-alpha-hydroxyvitamin D-3) was administered orally 1 mu g/day for 3 months. All subjects underwent a frequently sampled IV glucose tolerance test after a 10- to 12-hour overnight fast during a spontaneous bleeding episode before and after treatment with alphacalcidol. Main Outcome Measure(s): Peripheral insulin resistance and insulin effectiveness were estimated with minimal model. Result(s): The first phase of insulin secretion was significantly increased after treatment with alphacalcidol. A favorable statistically significant change also was observed in the lipid profile. Conclusion(s): Treatment with the vitamin D-3 analogue (alphacalcidol) could be of value in the management of PCOS. (Fertil Steril (R) 2009;92:1053-8. (C)2009 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)