The Role of Alpha Lipoic Acid and Olive Oil on Metabolic Syndrome Associated with Letrozole-induced Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Abstract

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic endocrine disorder prevalent in premenopausal women and is characterized by a range of physiological and biochemical abnormalities which may include reproductive, endocrine, and metabolic alterations such as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is the hallmark of PCOS as it predisposes the affected subjects to a higher risk of impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Among the various reference drugs used to treat PCOS, the combination of metformin and clomiphene citrate used in this study has demonstrated to exhibited a good therapeutic impact in the management of PCOS. For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome, Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA) reduces oxidative damage and insulin resistance. Such changes in the oestrous cycle point to a shift in the functional integrity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to ascertain if ALA and olive oil have an ameliorative effect as a management option in the metabolic syndrome associated with letrozole-induced PCOS female rats. Thirty-five (35) female Wistar rats (205.27 ±5.23g) into 5 groups (A - E) of 7 each. The rats in group A were the control animals while rats in groups B, C, D, and E were induced with 1 mg/kg body weight of letrozole for 21 days. After the period of induction, group A (control rats) received 1 ml of distilled water while group B-E received oral administration of 7.14 mg/kg of metformin co-administered with 2 mg/kg of clomiphene citrate (reference drugs), 1 mg/kg of ALA and olive oil respectively for 21 days. The result of the study reveals that, in comparison to the control group, the administration of 1mg/kg B.W. of ALA to PCOS rats significantly (p>0.05) decreased the serum concentrations of HDL-C but increased serum insulin levels, which were brought on by PCOS, as well as their TG, TC, and LDL-C levels. ALA and Olive oil can be used in the management and treatment of metabolic disorders related to PCOS.