Effect of Psyllium Supplementation on Insulin Resistance and Lipid Profile in Non-diabetic Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility in women. In addition, the risk of type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hyperinsulinemia, and insulin resistance is higher among women with PCOS. Psyllium can reduce the levels of fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin resistance, and lipid profile. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of psyllium supplementation on insulin resistance and the lipid profile in non-diabetic women with PCOS.

In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial, 54 eligible non-diabetic women with PCOS aged 18-45 were recruited from an endocrinology clinic and divided into 2 groups based on their body mass index (BMI) through stratified-block randomization. Participants in intervention and placebo groups received 5 g of psyllium or cellulose microcrystalline twice a day for 8 weeks. Fasting insulin, FBS, and insulin resistance indicators including HOMA1-IR, HOMA2-IR, along with quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and the lipid profile were evaluated before and after the intervention.

In the psyllium group, the FBS, fasting insulin, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HOMA1-IR, and HOMA2-IR indicators decreased significantly (P<0.05) after 8 weeks, but the changes were not significant in the placebo group. The mean changes in LDL-C (0.28±0.58 and 0.11±0.67 in intervention and placebo groups, respectively, P=0.036) and QUICKI (0.01±0.03 and 0.02±0.06 in intervention and placebo groups, respectively, P=0.044) were significant between the two groups from the baseline.

Psyllium supplementation decreased FBS, fasting insulin, and the lipid profile while improving insulin resistance in non-diabetic women with PCOS.