The gut microbiome in polycystic ovary syndrome?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Does the gut microbiome play a role in polycystic ovary syndrome?
IRAS ID
228006
Contact name
W. Colin Duncan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Edinburgh
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Invalidated REC Reference, 17/LO/1409
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 12 months, 0 days
Research summary
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition, affecting approximately 1 in 7-8 women in the UK. It is associated with high levels of “male steroid hormones” (androgens), a build up of "cysts" in the ovaries and the irregular release of eggs. PCOS can lead to infertility, weight gain, excessive hair growth, and acne and is associated with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Most women have a degree of insulin resistance (high insulin levels) and chronic low-grade inflammation that contribute to the obesity and other risk of diabetes.
The types of bacteria found in our gut respond and to and affect our metabolic state. Unbalanced levels of bad: good bacteria increase spaces between the cells in our gut wall, which allows the products of these ‘bad’ bacteria to leak out into the body and cause inflammation and disrupt our body’s ability to sense insulin resulting in high insulin levels, which can cause increased androgen levels and obesity and make the condition worse.
We believe that women with PCOS have unbalanced good:bad bacteria in their gut. If this is the case gut flora manipulation using probiotics may be an effective therapeutic tool.
In this study we will examine a faecal sample and a blood sample from women with PCOS and compare these with women without PCOS and healthy men to see if there is consistent changes in the gut microbiome in PCOS and its relationship to inflammation, insulin resistance and male hormone levels. This one-visit, one-site study will recruit from endocrine and infertility clinics in the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Leeds East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/YH/0294
Date of REC Opinion
1 Sep 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion