The effects of vitamin D and evening primrose oil co-supplementation on lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in vitamin D-deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

2017-07-25
Endocrine research 43(1)
- Khadijeh Nasri
- Sedighe Akrami
- Maryam Rahimi
- Mohsen Taghizadeh
- Masoud Behfar
- Mohammad Reza Mazandaranian
- Abbas Kheiry
- Mohammad Reza Memarzadeh
- Zatollah Asemi

PubMed: 28742409
DOI: 10.1080/07435800.2017.1346661

Study Design

Type: Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Sample size: n = 30
Population: 60 vitamin D-deficient women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Methods: randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial; participants randomly assigned to receive either 1000 IU vitamin D3 plus 1000 mg evening primrose oil (EPO) or placebo for 12 weeks
Blinding: Double-blind
Duration: 12 weeks
Funding: Unclear

Purpose of the study

There was inconsistent evidence about the benefit of vitamin D plus evening primrose oil (EPO) supplement intake on lipid profiles and reduced oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The current study was performed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D plus EPO supplementation on lipid profiles and biomarkers of oxidative stress in vitamin D-deficient women with PCOS.

Materials and methods

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was performed among 60 vitamin D-deficient women with PCOS. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either 1000 IU vitamin D3 plus 1000 mg EPO (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. Metabolic profiles were quantified at baseline and after the 12-week intervention.

Results

Compared with the placebo group, women in vitamin D and EPO co-supplementation group had significant increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (+10.7 ± 8.4 vs. -0.5 ± 1.6 ng/mL, p < 0.001) and plasma total glutathione (GSH) (+62.7 ± 58.0 vs. -0.7 ± 122.7 µmol/L, p = 0.01), while there were significant decreases in triglycerides (-7.3 ± 23.8 vs. +6.9 ± 26.3 mg/dL, p = 0.03), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels (-1.5 ± 4.7 vs. +1.4 ± 5.3 mg/dL, p = 0.03), total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (-0.3 ± 0.4 vs. -0.02 ± 0.4, p = 0.02), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (-0.4 ± 0.4 vs. +0.5 ± 1.8 µmol/L, p = 0.008).

Conclusion

Overall, vitamin D and EPO co-supplementation for 12 weeks among vitamin D-deficient women with PCOS significantly improved triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, GSH, and MDA levels.

Research Insights

Vitamin D3→Increased 25-hydroxyvitamin D Level
Compared with the placebo group, women in vitamin D and EPO co-supplementation group had significant increases in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) (+10.7 ± 8.4 vs. -0.5 ± 1.6 ng/mL, p < 0.001)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
1000 IU/day
Vitamin D3→Increased Total Glutathione Level
plasma total glutathione (GSH) (+62.7 ± 58.0 vs. -0.7 ± 122.7 µmol/L, p = 0.01)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Moderate
Dose
1000 IU/day
Vitamin D3→Reduced LDL Cholesterol
very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol levels (-1.5 ± 4.7 vs. +1.4 ± 5.3 mg/dL, p = 0.03)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 IU/day
Vitamin D3→Reduced Malondialdehyde
malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (-0.4 ± 0.4 vs. +0.5 ± 1.8 µmol/L, p = 0.008)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 IU/day
Vitamin D3→Reduced Total Cholesterol Levels
total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (-0.3 ± 0.4 vs. -0.02 ± 0.4, p = 0.02)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 IU/day
Vitamin D3→Reduced Triglyceride Levels
while there were significant decreases in triglycerides (-7.3 ± 23.8 vs. +6.9 ± 26.3 mg/dL, p = 0.03)
Effect
Beneficial
Effect size
Small
Dose
1000 IU/day