Endocrine Abstracts

Objective: To investigate the impact of dietary intervention of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) intake on hormonal and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: After baseline evaluation, 23 women with PCOS (mean±S.D., age: 23.4±5.7 years; body mass index (BMI): 26±5.7 kg/m²) underwent the following consecutive 2-month dietary regimens: a hypocaloric diet with ad-libitum AGEs content (Hypo), an isocaloric diet with high AGEs (HA) and an isocaloric diet with low AGEs (LA). Metabolic, hormonal and oxidative stress status was assessed as well as AGEs levels were determined in all subjects, after the completion of any dietary intervention.

Results: Serum levels of AGEs, testosterone, oxidative stress, insulin and HOMA-IR index were significantly increased on HA compared to Hypo diet and subsequently decreased on LA diet (compared to HA; P<0.05 for all parameters). BMI remained unaltered throughout the HA and LA periods compared to Hypo period. Dietary AGEs were associated with serum AGEs (r=0.45, P<0.001), insulin (r=0.3, P=0.005), HOMA-IR index (r=0.31, P=0.006) and oxidative stress (r=0.32, P=0.002). Testosterone was correlated with insulin (r=0.36, P=0.001) and HOMA-IR index (r=0.36, P=0.002).

Conclusions: Modifications on dietary AGEs intake are associated with parallel changes in serum AGEs, metabolic, hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers in women with PCOS. These findings support the advice of a low AGEs dietary content along with lifestyle changes in women with PCOS.

Declaration of interest: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest that could be perceived as prejudicing the impartiality of the research project.

Funding: This research did not receive any specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sector.