Testing Fish Oil Alongside Metformin for Heart and Blood Vessel Health in Women with PCOS

This article describes the plan for a new clinical trial, not the results of one yet. Researchers at the University of Alberta are studying whether adding fish oil to standard metformin treatment can help young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (referred to here by a newer term, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) who are at higher risk for early heart and blood vessel problems.

Women with this condition often have elevated triglycerides and other blood fat markers, insulin resistance, and higher body weight, which can lead to early signs of artery thickening and changes in heart muscle structure. Metformin helps with insulin resistance but doesn’t fully address these blood fat and cardiovascular issues.

The trial will enroll 146 women aged 25-45 with overweight or obesity and elevated triglycerides, randomly assigning them to receive either about 6 grams of fish oil per day or a placebo, in addition to metformin, over 12 months. Researchers will measure artery wall thickness, plaque buildup, and heart muscle function using imaging, along with blood lipid and hormone levels.