SGLT2 Inhibitors in Treating Patients With PCOS

Chronic inflammation is the core of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and obesity and overweight further exacerbate the level of inflammation in the peripheral circulation and ovarian tissue in PCOS patients. Metformin is a classic endocrine drug for the treatment of PCOS, but its clinical response rate is only about 40%. Our previous published study (Diabetes Obes Metab, 2022) observed that the new hypoglycemic drug SGLT-2 inhibitor can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with insulin resistance PCOS, and the clinical efficacy is not inferior to metformin, but its specific mechanism of action is not clear. Recent studies have shown that SGLT-2 significantly attenuates the activation of the Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasomes and the secretion of IL-1β in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus at high risk of cardiovascular disease. Based on the above research background, this project will combine clinical research and mechanism exploration to solve the following two problems:

1. whether SGLT2 inhibitor can further improve the clinical efficacy of PCOS patients compared to metformin;

2. mechanistic studies further clarify whether SGLT2 inhibitors improve inflammatory symptoms by modulating NLRP3 inflammosomes in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome;