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Cited by 16Ovarian function and disordersFatty Acid Research and HealthDiet, Metabolism, and Disease

Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on metabolic status in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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Zhou, Jie, Zuo, Wenting, Tan, Yong, Wang, Xudong, Zhu, Meihong, Zhang, Huili·2023·Journal of Ovarian Research
DOI 10.1186/s13048-023-01130-4PMC PMC10022207
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Abstract

This meta-analysis was conducted to summarize the effects of n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) on metabolic status including insulin metabolism and lipid metabolism in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four mainstream databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Web of Science were searched from their inception to October 2021. The registration number of this study was CRD42021285233. The quality assessment was performed referring the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool. Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were generated for continuous variables by meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed based on study duration (≤ 8 weeks or > 8 weeks), the source of n-3 PUFA (marine derived or plant origins) and dosage of n-3 PUFA (≤ 1000 mg/d or > 1000 mg/d). Eventually, 11 RCTs reporting 816 patients were enrolled. Compared with control group, n-3 PUFA treatment decreased waist circumference (MD = -2.76, 95% CI: -3.82 to -1.69; p < 0.00001), fasting plasma glucose (MD = -3.91, 95% CI: -5.69 to -2.13; p < 0.0001), fasting insulin (MD = -2.45, 95% CI: -3.19 to -1.71; p < 0.00001), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (MD = -0.45, 95% CI: -0.80 to -0.11; p = 0.01), triglyceride (MD = -9.33, 95% CI: -10.56 to -8.10; p < 0.00001), total cholesterol (MD = -12.32, 95% CI: -19.15 to -5.50; p = 0.0004), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (MD = -10.53, 95% CI: -19.31 to -1.75; p = 0.02), and increase quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (MD = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.01 to 0.02; p < 0.00001), Adiponectin (MD = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.12 to 1.80; p < 0.00001) in PCOS patients. However, n-3 PUFA failed to change body weight, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and hs-CRP in the overall analysis. Further subgroup analyses showed that supplements of n-3 PUFA for more than 8 weeks is more conducive to improve the metabolic status in insulin resistance and lipid profiles. The meta-analysis demonstrates that n-3 PUFA may be an effective intervention for alleviating metabolic status in PCOS. Hence, we recommend PCOS patients replenish n-3 PUFA with duration > 8 weeks regardless of the source and the dosage to retard the pathogenesis of PCOS related metabolic diseases.

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  • Most clinical studies and meta-analyses consistently show that n-3 PUFAs are beneficial in improving insulin resistance and dyslipidemia associated with PCOS.

    “While most clinical studies (Table 2) and meta-analyses [13,64,65,66] summarizing data from those studies consistently show that n-3 PUFAs are beneficial in improving insulin resistance and dyslipidemia associated with PCOS”

    From Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [64]

    The Discussion reports that this meta-analysis found improvements in insulin-resistance measures and some lipid measures in women with PCOS. But it also describes divergent findings: an earlier meta-analysis did not find relief of insulin resistance, and its own overall analysis found no change in several lipid measures. The source therefore supports a qualified benefit, not the claim that clinical studies and meta-analyses consistently show improvement in both conditions. Page numbers were not supplied in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

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  • These studies also highlight that there is only a modest or no effect of n-3 PUFA in weight loss in these women.

    “these studies also highlight that there is only a modest or no effect of n-3 PUFA in weight loss in these women.”

    From Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [64]

  • Another recent meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials with 816 women with PCOS showed similar beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA, especially in trials with a duration longer than 8 weeks, in improving HOMA-IR, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and adiponectin.

    “Another recent meta-analysis of 11 randomized controlled trials with 816 women with PCOS showed similar beneficial effects of n-3 PUFA, especially in trials with a duration longer than 8 weeks, in improving HOMA-IR, serum triglycerides, cholesterol, and adiponectin [64].”

    From Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Improving Metabolic Dysfunctions in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2024) · cites this paper as [64]

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Zhou, J., Zuo, W., Tan, Y., Wang, X., Zhu, M., & Zhang, H.
Affiliations
  • Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine (CN)
  • Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University (CN)
Corresponding author
Tan, Yong
ORCID
Venue
Journal of Ovarian Research
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Published
2023-03-17
Volume
16
Issue
1
Pages
54-54
ISSN
1757-2215 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1186/s13048-023-01130-4
PMC
PMC10022207
OpenAlex
W4327732804
Cited by
16
References
7
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 2
FWCI
0.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of Ovarian Research (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
Project of Nantong Science and Technology Bureau, Jiangsu, China (project NO JC2020003)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Ovarian function and disorders
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Fatty Acid Research and Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism › Diet, Metabolism, and Disease
Keywords
omega-3 fatty acids, polycystic ovary syndrome, insulin resistance, insulin metabolism, lipid metabolism, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, dietary supplementation, women's health, metabolic status
MeSH terms
Cholesterol, Female, Humans, Insulin, Insulin Resistance, Lipoproteins, LDL, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

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