Table 2.
Summary of clinical studies on the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on metabolic markers in PCOS.
| Study | Sample Size | Duration | Study Design | Intervention | Key Findings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [67] | 25 | 8 weeks | Randomized cross-over study | EPA + DHA (3.3 g/day) vs. olive oil | Reduced hepatic fat content, serum triglycerides, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure compared to control |
| [68] | 22 | 6 weeks | Randomized cross-over study | EPA + DHA (2.4 g/day) vs. olive oil | Reduced plasma bioavailable testosterone compared to control |
| [69] | 64 | 8 weeks | Randomized controlled study | EPA + DHA (1.2 g/day) vs. placebo | Increased plasma adiponectin, decreased insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, total and LDL-cholesterol compared to control; no change in hs-CRP |
| [70] | 61 | 8 weeks | Randomized controlled study | EPA + DHA (1.2 g/day) vs. Placebo | Decreased glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR; no change in anthropometry |
| [71] | 68 | 12 weeks | Randomized controlled study | ALA (400 mg) + Vitamin E (400 IU) vs. Placebo | Reduced LPA expression in blood mononuclear cells, reduced serum total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol; increased serum total antioxidant capacity |
| [72] | 40 | 12 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Fish oil (1 g/day) vs. placebo | Up-regulation of PPARG and down-regulation of IL1A and CXCL8 (IL-8) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells |
| [73] | 60 | 12 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Fish Oil (2 g/day) + Vitamin D 50,000 IU bi-weekly or Placebo | Decrease in hs-CRP and malondialdehyde, increase in total antioxidant capacity |
| [74] | 60 | 12 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Flaxseed oil (2 g/day) or placebo | Decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR, serum triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol and hs-CRP |
| [75] | 60 | 12 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Flaxseed oil (1 g/day containing 400 mg ALA) + Vitamin E (400 IU) or placebo | Decreases in carotid intima-media thickness and hs-CRP levels |
| [76] | 51 | 6 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Fish oil (EPA + DHA 3.5 g/day) or flaxseed oil (ALA 3.5 g/day) or placebo of soybean oil | Reduced triglycerides by both fish oil and flax seed oil |
| [77] | 84 | 8 weeks | Randomized controlled study | Fish oil (EPA + DHA 900 mg) or placebo | Reduced LH and increased adiponectin by fish oil |
| [78] | 88 | 6 months | Randomized controlled study | Fish oil (EPA + DHA 600 mg/day) vs. placebo | Decreased waist circumference, serum LDL-C, triglycerides, total cholesterol, and menstrual cycle interval; increased HDL-C by fish oil |
| [79] | 45 | 6 months | Randomized controlled study | n-3 PUFA (1.5 g/day) vs. placebo | Decreased BMI, serum insulin, HOMA-IR, hirsutism score, serum testosterone, and LH; increased SHBG by fish oil |