(P20-037-25) Influence of Whey Protein Supplementation on Insulin Sensitivity and Inflammatory Response in Women With and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objectives: The effect of whey protein isolate (WPI) ingestion on insulin sensitivity and inflammation in women with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) was evaluated. PCOS, an endocrine disorder, affects androgen, insulin, and progesterone hormones, with over half of polycystic women developing type 2 diabetes (T2DM) or pre-diabetes. With limited nutritional management options, PCOS is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, and increased risk for its co-morbidities. Patients with T2DM improved metabolic parameters with WPI ingestion. We hypothesized that WPI supplementation would improve insulin sensitivity and reduce inflammation in polycystic women given the link between PCOS and T2DM.<

Methods: 6 women with and 8 women without PCOS (CON) consumed 35 g of WP for 40 days.<
Blood was isolated on Days 1, 20, and 40. Plasma TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 were analyzed using a Milliplex Map Kit. Serum glucose was analyzed using Stanbio Glucose LiquiColor, plasma adiponectin, insulin, and serum leptin were analyzed by ELISA. All analytes were run in duplicate.

Results: A correlation existed in the PCOS group between TNF-α and IL-6 (r = 0.856) and IL-4 (r = 0.882) at baseline. In the CON group, positive correlation occurred between changes in glucose and MCP-1 (r = 0.805) and IL-6 and TNF-α (r = 0.766) at baseline. At Day 40, there was a positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α (r = 0.869) and MCP-1 (r = 0.925) and between IL-4 and IL-10 (r = 0.857). On day 40, the PCOS group had a 22% glucose spike reduction compared to baseline pre- and post-protein consumption. Although not significant, there was an 11% increase and 17% decrease in insulin concentrations in the CON and PCOS groups, respectively, from Day 1 to 40. There was a significant difference in HMW adiponectin concentration between the two groups on Day 1 (p < .05, partial η2 = .499) and an inverse correlation between HMW adiponectin and insulin at Day 40 in both groups (r = -.650).

Conclusions: For women with PCOS, WPI supplementation reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased anti-inflammatory cytokines, and normalized HMW adiponectin and insulin responses to levels similar to women without PCOS. This suggests that WPI supplementation could beneficially reduce chronic inflammation and restore insulin sensitivity in PCOS.

Funding Sources: Glanbia Nutritionals, INC and Human Nutrition Research Funds, TWU.