Microbiome and Polycystic Ovaries

December 3, 2023 updated by: Dr. Aya Mohr-Sasson, Sheba Medical Center

The Change in Microbiome Following Treatment of Women With Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women in reproductive age with an estimated prevalence of 5% to 19.5%. It is a chronic complex syndrome with psychological (depression and anxiety), reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. The etiology seems to be multifactorial. Lately, interest regarding the association between PCOS women and gut macrobiotic have been emerged. Hyperandrogenism was correlated with those changes in the microbiota which reflects the fact that the microbiome can influence the development and pathology of PCOS .

Therefore, aim of this study is to explore the diversity and alternations of the vaginal and the gut microbiome in patients with PCOS during common therapeutic interventions and connect them to different phenotypes of the syndrome.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women in reproductive age with an estimated prevalence of 5% to 19.5%. It is a chronic complex syndrome with psychological (depression and anxiety), reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. The etiology seems to be multifactorial. It seems there are both genetic, epigenetic and environmental contributors (almost 100 susceptible genes were identified).

The quality of life (QQL) of women suffering from PCOS is significantly reduced in all domains (functional ability, physical and emotional) and major health problems is correlated to PCOS. Women with PCOS demonstrate hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance. They have an increased risk for type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. Studies have shown that adipocyte function is considerably aberrant in women with PCOS including: lower lipase activity, defective glucose transport and dyslipidemia. Obesity is more prevalent in women with PCOS. They are also exposed to long term risk for additional disorders like cardiovascular diseases (atherosclerosis) or even cancer (endometrial or ovarian) .

PCOS is the primary cause of anovulatory subfertility. Furthermore, women with PCOS are at risk for pregnancy and obstetrical complications including preterm birth, pre- eclampsia and meconium aspiration syndrome of neonates after birth.

PCOS is diagnosed according the Rotterdam criteria . It requires 2 out of 3 symptoms: 1. Hyperandrogenism or excess levels of androgen)- clinical and/ or biochemical (presence of hirsutism, acne or alopecia). 2. Oligo or anovulation (including menstrual dysfunction). 3. PCO-M polycystic ovaries morphology (over 12 follicles, 2-9 mm or increased ovarian volume).

The term microbiome describes the genetic material of all the microbes (bacteria, fungi, protozoa and viruses) that live onside and inside the human body. It is important for development of the body, immunity and nutrition. The microbiome may influence the susceptibility to different infectious diseases and contribute to chronic illnesses.

The gut microbiota contains 100 trillion microbes. When discussing gut bacteria, it is primarily referred to the large intestine (colon). Lately, interest regarding the association between PCOS women and gut macrobiotic have been emerged. Hyperandrogenism was correlated with those changes in the microbiota which reflects the fact that the microbiome can influence the development and pathology of PCOS . Preliminary studies have shown that different bacterial species colonize the gut of PCOS induced animals compared to controls.

A novel theory was developed concerning the development of PCOS. A diet high of sugars sets as a convenient platform for gram negative bacteria ("bad" bacteria) while reducing "good" bacteria. The cell wall of the gram negative bacteria is comprised of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) which stimulates the immune system. The high sugar diet increases the permeability of the gut ("leaky gut") leading to chronic inflammation which produces impaired insulin receptor function. The insulin facilitates an increase in the production of androgens by the ovaries which leads to PCOS .

The dysbiosis was correlated with sex hormone levels and ovarian changes. In addition, treating PCOS using lactobacillus ("good" bacteria) transplantation showed improved ovarian functions.

Even though, several studies established the connection between the dysbiosis of the gut and PCOS, only a few studies were conducted on the association between the vaginal microbiome and the development of PCOS. To detail, the vaginal microbiome in PCOS is more diverse and heterogeneous, with the relative abundance of certain species (such as Mycoplasma) and lower level of others (such as Lactobacillus which keeps the vagina acidic) .

Moreover, should this association be strengthen between the microbiome of the gut and vagina to PCOS, it could serve as grounds to new horizons for treatment. There are several therapies for PCOS treatment (Life style interventions, improving metabolic dysfunction and medical treatment ), however, currently, there is no ideal therapy that fully treats all the clinical features.

Due to all the aforementioned, we aim of this study is to explore the diversity and alternations of the vaginal and the gut microbiome in patients with PCOS during common therapeutic interventions and connect them to different phenotypes of the syndrome.

Study design A prospective longitudinal case control study that will be conducted at Sheba Medical Center (tertiary medical center).

Study group will include 20 women in fertility age (age 18-42) diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam Criteria who haven't started any kind of treatment. The control group would be healthy women matched by age. Women in both groups will be recruited at the Endocrine outpatient's clinics. All women will sign informed consent form after receiving information on the study from one of the research team members.

Vaginal and rectal samples will be collected during the regular clinic visits that will be set by the medical interventions requirements (including: dietary recommendations, physical activity, hormonal contraception, insulin resistance treatment, fertility treatment, pregnancy follow-up):

  1. at first visit after recruitment
  2. 1 month following first intervention
  3. 3 month following first intervention

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Estimated)

40

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Israel
      • Ramat-Gan, Israel, 52621
        • Recruiting
        • Sheba Medical Center
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 42 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

N/A

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Study group will include 20 women in fertility age (age 18-42) diagnosed with PCOS according to the Rotterdam Criteria who haven't started any treatment. The control group would include healthy women matched by age.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

Study group: Untreated women diagnosed with PCOS that are planned for intervention.

Control group: Women without PCOS visiting the gynecologic outpatient's clinics.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Endocrine abnormality ( Cushing's syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid disorder, hyperprolactinemia and androgen-secreting tumor).
  2. Premature ovarian failure 2. Active malignancy 3. Participants taking antibiotics/ probiotics, hormonal, vaginal or laxative medicine (in the previous week).

4. Vaginitis/ Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Study Group: Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Woen diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome according to the Rotterdam Criteria (requires 2 out of 3 symptoms: 1. Hyperandrogenism or excess levels of androgen. 2. Oligo or anovulation. 3. Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound - over 12 follicles, 2-9 mm or increased ovarian volume),who haven't started any treatment
Other: Dietary recommendations

Fruit, vegetables, legumes (e.g. lentils and beans), nuts and whole grains (e.g. unprocessed maize, millet, oats, wheat and brown rice).

At least 400 g (i.e. five portions) of fruit and vegetables per day excluding potatoes, sweet potatoes, cassava and other starchy roots.

Less than 10% of total energy intake from free sugars Less than 30% of total energy intake from fats. Unsaturated fats (found in fish, avocado and nuts, and in sunflower, soybean, canola and olive oils) are preferable to saturated fats.

Less than 5 g of salt (equivalent to about one teaspoon) per day.

Other Names:
  • World Health Organisation (WHO) recommendations
Drug: Oral contraceptive pills
Hormonal treatment
Drug: Metformin
Insulin resistance treatment
Cohort Group: Women without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Vaginal and gut microbiota composition before and after intervention recommended and in comparison to women without PCOS.
Time Frame: Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Evaluated by PCR ( ng/microl)
Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Hirsutism
Time Frame: Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Change in hirsutism - subjectively reported by the women during clinic visits, on scale 0-4 (0-no change, 4-substantial improvement), and additionally evaluated before and after treatment by the Modified Ferriman-Gallwey Scoring (evaluating 9 body areas to assess hair growth (on 0-4 scale: 0-no hair growth to 4- extensive hair growth)
Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Acne
Time Frame: Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Change in Acne sevirity - subjectively reported by the women during clinic visits - Mild/ Moderate /Severe
Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Fertility
Time Frame: Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year
Sucess achieving pregnancy
Through study completion, an estimated period of 1 year

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sheba Medical Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

September 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

March 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 25, 2021

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 6, 2021

First Posted (Actual)

April 8, 2021

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Estimated)

December 5, 2023

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

December 3, 2023

Last Verified

December 1, 2023

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 8032-20-SMC

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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