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Exogenous Ketone Ester in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
PCOS
Interventions
Dietary Supplement: 3-OHB (KE4)
Dietary Supplement: water
Registration Number
NCT05762822
Lead Sponsor
University of Aarhus
Brief Summary

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by elevated androgens such as testosterone. Clinical studies suggest that ketogenic diets lower the levels of androgens. The ketone 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) may play an important role in these effects and the main purpose of this study is to investigate whether a 3-OHB supplement acutely improves the hormonal and metabolic status in women with PCOS.

Detailed Description

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-18% of women and is characterized by the presence of two of three of the Rotterdam criteria: Hyperandrogenism (clinical or biochemical), irregular menstrual cycles, and polycystic ovary morphology, after exclusion of other conditions that mimic PCOS. PCOS is associated with elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and unaltered levels of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), which leads to the characteristic hyperandrogenism (high levels of testosterone), oligo- or anovulation, and a large number of premature follicles in the ovarian. Insulin resistance causes hyperinsulinemia that decreases sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) levels and stimulates androgen production (e.g., elevated concentrations of testosterone). Ketogenic diets are characterized by a diet low in carbohydrates, and has shown beneficial effects on weight and hormonal status in women with PCOS. Whether these improvements are mediated by ketones (e.g., 3-hydroxybutyrate, 3-OHB) or other effects related to this diet is unknown. The main purpose of this study is to investigate whether a 3-OHB supplement acutely improves the hormonal and metabolic status in women with PCOS.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
Female
Target Recruitment
20
Inclusion Criteria
  • PCOS diagnosis
  • age >18 years
Exclusion Criteria
  • Medications affecting sex hormones (e.g. contraceptives, dopamine agonists, etc) or glucose metabolism (e.g. saxenda).
  • Anemia (Hgb < 6.0 mM)
  • Practicing ketogenic diets (e.g., low-carb diet, fasting regimes)
  • Inability to understand Danish or English
  • Diabetes
  • Ongoing cancer or other acute/chronic serious diseases (PI will determine)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
CROSSOVER
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
3-OHB3-OHB (KE4)60 ml 3-OHB (30 g) at 10 pm the night before and 6 am on the day for blood sampling (8 am).
Placebowater60 ml water (same taste as active comparator) at 10 pm the night before and 6 am on the day for blood sampling (8 am).
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Plasma concentration of testosterone10 hours after first intervention

Paired t-test

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
plasma 3-OHB10 hours after first intervention
plasma SHBG10 hours after first intervention
plasma C-peptide10 hours after first intervention
plasma triglycerides10 hours after first intervention
plasma cytokines (such as Tumor Necrotic Factor alpha, Interleukin 6, Lipopolysaccharide -binding protein, soluble CD163)10 hours after first intervention
plasma prolactin10 hours after first intervention
plasma free testosterone10 hours after first intervention
plasma free fatty acids10 hours after first intervention
Plasma FSH10 hours after first intervention
plasma glucose10 hours after first intervention
Plasma LH10 hours after first intervention
serum insulin10 hours after first intervention
plasma cholesterol10 hours after first intervention
C reactive protein10 hours after first intervention
plasma estradiol10 hours after first intervention
plasma keto-testosterone10 hours after first intervention
Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance10 hours after first intervention

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Department of Diabetes and Hormone Diseases (DoH)

🇩🇰

Aarhus N, Denmark

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