Efficacy of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of omega-3 in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome and to compare the clinical, hormonal, TNF-α and resistin levels in the patients treated with omega-3. A total of 45 non-obese PCOS women were studied. Women were treated with daily oral 1,500 mg of omega-3 for 6 months. Body mass index (BMI), hirsutism score, fasting glucose and insulin levels were noted for each case. Hirsutism was assessed at 6-month intervals using the Ferriman-Gallwey (F-G) scoring system. Hormonal, TNF-α and resistin levels at 6 months of therapy were compared with baseline values. BMI, F-G scoring, insulin and HOMA levels decreased significantly during treatment, but glucose levels did not change. In the hormonal profile, serum LH and testosterone levels decreased and sex hormone-binding globulin levels increased significantly after the 6 months of therapy. On the other hand, TNF-α levels showed a significant increase, whereas resistin levels showed no change. Omega-3 may be also effective in improving hirsutism and insulin resistance in patients with PCOS.