[PHNUTR-L] N-acetylcysteine May Induce Ovulation in Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

[Kathrynne Holden]

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N-acetylcysteine May Induce Ovulation in Women with Polycystic Ovarian 
Syndrome
http://www.vitasearch.com/CP/weeklyupdates/

Reference: 	"N-Acetyl cysteine and clomiphene citrate for induction of 
ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome: a cross-over trial," Badawy A, 
State O, et al, Acta Obstet Gynecol Scanda, 2007; 86(2): 218-22. 
(Address: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mansoura University, 
Mansoura, Egypt. E-mail: ambadawy at yahoo.com ).

Summary: 	In a study involving 573 women with polycystic ovarian 
syndrome (PCOS), supplementation with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in addition 
to the fertility drug, clomiphene citrate, was found to induce ovulation 
more effectively than treatment with clomiphene citrate alone. All of 
the subjects were treated with clomiphene citrate (50 mg tablets, twice 
a day) for one menstrual cycle, after which 470 of the subjects were 
treated with clomiphene citrate plus N-acetylcysteine (1,200 mg/day 
orally for 5 days starting on day 3 of the menstrual cycle) for another 
cycle. Results showed a significant improvement in ovulation after NAC 
was added to the treatment (52.1% versus 17.9%). The number of mature 
follicles was non-significantly greater in the NAC group compared to the 
clomiphene citrate alone group. Significant improvements in mean E2 
levels (pg/ml) at the time of human chorionic gonadotropine injection, 
serum progesterone levels (ng/ml) on days 21-23 of the cycle, and 
endometrial thi ckness were found in women after receiving NAC. 11.5% of 
women in the NAC group became pregnant. 55.4% of the subjects were found 
to be insulin resistant, but no significant differences were found 
between insulin resistant subjects and non-insulin resistant subjects 
with regards to ovulation rate, number of follicles, serum E2 (pg/ml), 
serum progesterone (ng/ml), endometrial thickness (mm), or pregnancy 
rate. The authors of this study conclude that, "N-Acetyl cysteine is 
proved effective in inducing or augmenting ovulation in polycystic ovary 
patients."
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
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