High dose of d-chiro-inositol improves oocyte quality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing ICSI: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two doses of d-chiro-inositol (DCI) in combination with Myo-inositol (MYO) on the oocyte quality (OQ) of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Methods: This was a controlled, randomized, double-blind, parallel group study on 172 oocytes from 11 women. The study compared the effect of two MYO-DCI formulations given over 12 weeks on OQ. Five women received 550 mg of MYO + 300 mg of DCI daily (high DCI content group), while 6 women were given a daily dose of 550 mg of MYO with the only 27.6 mg of DCI (low DCI content group). Results: According to a multivariate analysis using linear mixed effect models, high doses of DCI have a positive influence on the quality of the cytoplasm of the oocyte (ß = 1.631, χ2 = 7.347, d.f. = 1, p = .00672). Zona pellucida, plasma membrane, cytoplasm, and sperm reception have also been improved with any combination of MYO/DCI by decreasing testosterone or improving insulin sensitivity, regardless of age and body mass index. Conclusion: The combination of MYO with high doses of DCI improved oocyte cytoplasm quality in women with PCOS undergoing ICSI.

Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Modifies the Changes Induced in Non-Nervous Organs and Tissues by Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Models.

This study reveals the existence of oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) in non-nervous organs and tissues in multiple sclerosis (MS) by means of a model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rats. This model reproduces a similar situation to MS, as well as its relationship with intestinal microbiota starting from the changes in bacterial lipopolysaccharide levels (LPS) in the outer wall of the gram-negative bacteria. Finally, the administration of extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), hydroxytirosol (HT), and oleic acid (OA) exert beneficial effects. Twenty-five Dark Agouti two-month-old male rats, weighing around 190 g, were distributed into the following groups: Control, EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis group), EAE + EVOO, EAE + HT, and EAE + OA. The glutathione redox system with the EAE was measured in heart, kidney, liver, and small and large intestines. The LPS and the correlation with oxidative stress in the small and large intestines were also investigated. The results showed that (1) the oxidative damage in the EAE model affects non-nervous organs and tissues; (2) The LPS is related to inflammatory phenomena and oxidative stress in the intestinal tissue and in other organs; (3) The administration of EVOO, HT, and OA reduces the LPS levels at the same time as minimizing the oxidative damage; (4) EVOO, HT, and OA improve the disease's clinical score; and (5) on balance, EVOO offers a better neuroprotective effect.