The Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Endocrine Profiles, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Oxidative Stress in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Limited data are available indicating the effects of chromium administration on endocrine profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress among women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study was done to assess the effects of chromium administration on endocrine profiles, biomarkers of inflammation, and oxidative stress in women with PCOS. Participants of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial consisted of 60 patients with PCOS who received either 200 μg chromium supplements (n = 30) or placebo daily (n = 30) for 8 weeks. Endocrine profiles, inflammatory factors, and biomarkers of oxidative stress were assessed at study baseline and at the end of intervention. After 8 weeks of intervention, pregnancy rate in chromium group was higher than that in the placebo group: 16.7 % (5/30) vs. 3.3 % (1/30), P = 0.08. In addition, prevalence of acne (20.0 vs. 3.3 %, P = 0.04) decreased following the administration of chromium supplements compared with the placebo. Taking chromium led to a significant reduction in hirsutism (-1.8 ± 2.5 vs. -0.2 ± 0.8, P = 0.002), serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (-717.0 ± 1496.1 vs. +227.1 ± 1669.6 ng/mL, P = 0.02), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) (-0.1 ± 0.7 vs. +1.1 ± 1.5 μmol/L, P < 0.001), and a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC) concentrations (+250.7 ± 265.2 vs. +13.0 ± 201.6 mmol/L, P < 0.001). We failed to find any significant effect of chromium administration on endocrine profiles and nitric oxide (NO) and glutathione (GSH) levels. Overall, taking chromium for 8 weeks among women with PCOS had beneficial effects on acne, hirsutism, hs-CRP, TAC, and MDA levels, but it did not affect endocrine profiles, NO, and GSH.

Clinical trial registration number: IRCT201506105623N44 ( www.irct.ir ).