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Completed

NCT Number: NCT01766557

Assessment of Cod Protein as an Insulin-sensitizing Agent in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

The objective of our study is to determine the effects of fish protein on insulin sensitivity in PCOS women with insulin resistance, and its mechanism of action on glucose and endocrine metabolism. Our working hypothesis is that dietary fish protein improves insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, and related plasma endocrine and lipid abnormalities in PCOS women by restoring secretory β-cell function and insulin signaling to the PI 3-kinase activity/Akt pathway. We further hypothesize that fish protein will improve cycle regularity and ovarian function.

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Key information

Conditions

Insulin Sensitivity Adnexal Diseases Cysts Endocrine System Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications Genital Diseases Genital Diseases, Female Glucose Metabolism Disorders Gonadal Disorders Hyperinsulinism Inflammation Insulin Resistance Metabolic Diseases Neoplasms Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases Ovarian Cysts Ovarian Diseases Pathologic Processes Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Urogenital Diseases

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Institute Of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods (INAF), Laval University

Québec, Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada

About this study

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are at high risk of developing diabetes. Apart from a primary ovarian defect, up to 10% and 40-50% of those women develop diabetes and insulin resistance (IR) respectively. IR and associated hyperinsulinemia are recognized as important pathogenic factors in determining diabetes in the majority of PCOS women, particularly when obesity is present. Treating IR might reduce the risk of diabetes and improve ovulation and fertility in PCOS women. We recently found that obese, IR men and women consuming a cod protein diet showed a 30% improvement in insulin sensitivity compared with other animal proteins, and also a 24% decrease in high-sensitive C-reactive protein plasma concentration. Therefore, dietary fish protein could represent a natural, safe and practical means to improve insulin sensitivity in PCOS women with IR, and a new non-pharmaceutical approach for the treatment of the multiple endocrine and metabolic abnormalities of PCOS women (see outcome measures for a more extensive description).

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • women
  • 18 to 45 years old
  • having polycystic ovarian syndrome
  • overweight (BMI>27)
  • insulin resistance based on fasting insulin levels in the upper 95th percentile (>90pmol/L)
  • non-diabetic

Exclusion criteria

  • diabetes
  • hysterectomy
  • abnormal endometrial biopsy if abnormal bleeding in the last 6 months
  • clinical evidence of Cushing's syndrome
  • congenital adrenal hyperplasia (17-OH progesterone>10nmol/l)
  • excessive androgens suspicious of a tumour
  • prolactins levels >50μg/l
  • previous breast, uterus, ovary or liver neoplasia
  • use of medication known to affect glucose and lipid metabolisms (e.g. steroid hormones, oral contraceptives, ß-blockers, glitazones, statins, insulin)
  • depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate injection in the last year
  • important weight loss or weight gain within the last 6 months
  • chronic, metabolic (except well controlled chronic hypothyroidism) or acute disease or major surgery within the last 3 months
  • dietary incompatibility with calcium supplementation and/or fish consumption (allergy, intolerance, dislike)

Treatment and study plan

Semi-controlled nutritional intervention with fish protein diet

Other

After a controlled NCEP-based diet for 3 months, women are assigned to a cod fillet diet. At the end of this first 3 months experimental period, participants return to their NCEP-based diet for a wash-out period of 3 months. Then, each group receive the other diet for an additional 3 months period. The fish protein intake come from cod fillets and correspond to 50% of total protein, the remaining dietary proteins being from BPVEM (20%) and vegetable (30%). Lunches incorporating cod fillets are prepared by professional dietitians, provided two time per week, and are self-consumed. Participants make their breakfasts and dinners using foods from a pre-approved list. Alcohol is strictly prohibited during all periods.

Semi-controlled intervention with other animal proteins

Other

Prior to experimental period, participants follow a controlled NCEP-based diet for 3 months. Then women are assigned to a diet containing beef, pork, veal, eggs, milk and milk products. At the end of this first 3 months experimental period, participants return to their NCEP-based diet for a wash-out period of 3 months. The two diets are isoenergetic. The protein intake from BPVEM correspond to 70% of total protein, other dietary proteins are from vegetable (30%) origin. Lunches incorporating animal proteins are prepared by professional dietitians, provided two time per week, and are self-consumed. Participants make their breakfasts and dinners using foods from a pre-approved list. The content in n-3 fatty acids is adjusted to provide equivalent amounts of n-3 fatty acids then in the cod protein diet. Alcohol is strictly prohibited during all periods.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in sex hormones, during intervention and from baseline to the end of each intervention period.

    Time frame: At baseline, after the wash-out period, at the end of each intervention period (12 weeks), and at weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 during the intervention.

    Detailed plasma androgen profile including active androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone), adrenal androgens (androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone and its sulphate), major glucuronide-conjugated androgen metabolites, plasma levels of the sex hormone transport protein Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin (SHBG).

  2. Change in cycle regularity during intervention period.

    Time frame: At weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 during the intervention

    menstrual diaries

  3. Change in ovarian function during intervention period.

    Time frame: At weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 during the intervention

    progesterone measurements

Secondary outcomes

  1. Change in nutritional variables from baseline to the end of each intervention period.

    Time frame: At baseline and at the end of the intervention period (12 weeks).

    Food frequency questionnaire

  2. Change in cardiometabolic statute from baseline to the end of each intervention period

    Time frame: At baseline (at the beginning of the intervention), after the 12 weeks wash-out period, and at the end of each intervention period (12 weeks each)

    Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose and insulin concentrations during a 180-min euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, GDR, MI, β-cell function, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose and insulin concentrations during a 120-min oral glucose tolerance test, plasma C-peptide concentration, apolipoprotein apoA-1, A-2 and B plasma concentrations, hsCRP, MCP-1, IL-1β, IL-6 and adiponectin concentrations.

  3. Muscle insulin signaling

    Time frame: After each intervention period (12 weeks)

    Muscle biopsies for expression and phosphorylation of IRS-1-associated PI3-K activity, as well as Akt and aPKC activation by insulin.

  4. Change in physical activity habits from baseline to the end of each intervention period.

    Time frame: At baseline and at the end of the intervention period (12 weeks)

    Physical activity habits questionnaire

  5. Change in anthropometric measurements from baseline to the end of each intervention period.

    Time frame: At baseline and at the end of the intervention period (12 weeks)

    anthropometric measurements (body mass index, waist and hip circumferences)

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Laval University

Other

Collaborators

  • Canadian Diabetes Association
  • Diabetes Québec
  • Institute of Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Registry information

Acronym: PCOS

Important dates

Study start
2010
Primary completion
2012
Study completion
2013
First posted
Jan 11, 2013
Registry last updated
Feb 7, 2014

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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