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Krill Oil and Metformin in Women With PCOS and Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity
Sponsor: Firat University
Summary
This open-label, randomized, parallel-group pilot trial investigated the effects of krill oil, metformin, and their combination on adipokine profiles, cardiometabolic risk markers, and serum fatty acid composition in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO). Eligible women aged 19-40 years with PCOS according to Rotterdam criteria and MUO based on combined NCEP ATP-III/IDF criteria were allocated to three 8-week interventions: continuation of standard metformin therapy (MET), krill oil supplementation alone (KO), or metformin plus krill oil (METKO). Metformin users were stratified and randomized 1:1 to MET or METKO, while metformin-naive participants were assigned to KO. Krill oil (Superba Boost, Aker BioMarine) was administered at 2,000 mg/day (approximately 400 mg EPA and 240 mg DHA) and metformin at 1,000 mg/day. Primary outcomes were changes in serum adiponectin and neuregulin-4 (NRG-4) measured by ELISA. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric indices, fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, lipid profile, reproductive hormones, and detailed serum fatty acid profiling by GC-MS, as well as Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) scores. The trial aimed to provide preliminary evidence on whether adding krill oil to metformin therapy offers broader metabolic benefits than either intervention alone in women with PCOS and MUO.
Official title: Effects of Krill Oil and Metformin on Cardiometabolic, Adipokine, Hormonal, and Fatty Acid Profiles in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity: An Open-Label, Randomized, Parallel-Group Pilot Trial
Key Details
Gender
FEMALE
Age Range
19 Years - 40 Years
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
54
Start Date
2023-03-01
Completion Date
2024-04-30
Last Updated
2026-05-22
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Metformin Hydrochloride 1000 MG
Metformin Hydrochloride 1000 mg/day (single daily oral dose) for 8 weeks. Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic drug that improves insulin sensitivity and reduces hepatic glucose production. Used as standard treatment for PCOS-related insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction.
Krill Oil
Krill Oil 2 g/day (1 g twice daily, oral administration) for 8 weeks. Krill oil is a marine-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplement rich in EPA, DHA, and phospholipids with antioxidant astaxanthin. It has anti-inflammatory, lipid-modulating, and insulin-sensitizing properties relevant to PCOS and metabolic obesity management.
Locations (1)
Firat University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics
Elâzığ, Turkey (Türkiye)