One of the consequences of PCOS is infertility. (Photo : Getty Images)
According to a Xinhua News Agency report, Chinese scientists have found a potential treatment for women inflicted with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS, which is marked by chronic lack of ovulation, is regarded as one of the primary causes of infertility, as well as one of the most common endocrine illnesses among women who are of reproductive age.
Apart from infertility, the syndrome can also cause polycystic ovaries and irregular menstrual cycles.
PCOS is also linked to a high risk of insulin resistance development, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
As published by the researchers in the U.S. journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, their study found that transplanting brown adipose tissue (BAT) into rats with PCOS has significantly improved ovulation and pregnancy outcomes.
The scientists added that the transplant has also stabilized menstrual irregularity.
BAT is one of the two types of fat that can be found in the human body and in other mammals, the report stated.
The new study suggests that BAT transplantation has helped in activating the adiponectin-secreting endogenous BAT. The said secretion has a vital role in ovarian physiology and whole-body energy metabolism.
Furthermore, the results show that the injection of adiponectin into the subjects "recapitulates the beneficial effects of BAT transplantation by normalizing BAT activity, metabolic abnormalities, acyclicity and abnormal hormonal levels."
The research was jointly held by Wanzhu Jin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Institute of Zoology and Zijiang Chen of the Shandong University.
"The study provides a brand new clue to the treatment of PCOS patients," Jin shared.
Nonetheless, he noted that BAT transplantation is still far from clinical application though it is now easily applicable to humans.
Currently, researchers are eyeing to conduct clinical trials using drugs that will activate BAT in women with the disease.
The cause of the disease is still unknown, hence no specific cure or treatment is available. Medical experts recommend lifestyle changes such as exercise and weight loss to women with PCOS.
