• The Effects of Empagliflozin on inflammatory markers in women with polycystic ovary syndrome
  • Shima Sonieshrgh,1,* Seyed Mohammad Ali Shariatzadeh,2 Malek Soleimani Mehranjani,3 Rahil Jannatifar,4 Zahra Ebrahimi,5
    1. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
    2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
    3. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Arak University, Arak, Iran.
    4. Department of Reproductive Biology, Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR), Qom, Iran.


  • Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder among women(1), characterized by insulin resistance(2), low-grade inflammation(3), and ovulatory dysfunction(2) .Empagliflozin (EMPA), a sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, can play an effective role in treating infertility in these patients by improving insulin resistance(4) and reducing inflammation(5). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of EMPA on serum and follicular fluid levels of insulin, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in women with PCOS.
  • Methods: Forty women with PCOS were randomly assigned to two groups. The intervention group received empagliflozin (25 mg), while the control group received placebo (ORS, 25 mg), both administered for eight weeks. Treatment was initiated two months prior to the ovulation induction cycle and continued until the day of oocyte retrieval. Serum and follicular levels of insulin, IL-6, and TNF-α were measured using ELISA. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, and differences between means were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05.
  • Results: A significant reduction was observed in serum IL-6 (P < 0.01), TNF-α (P < 0.01), and insulin (P < 0.01) levels, as well as in follicular fluid TNF-α (P < 0.05) in the EMPA group. In contrast, follicular fluid IL-6 and insulin levels did not differ significantly between groups (P > 0.05).
  • Conclusion: Oure results showed that EMPA treatment in women with PCOS reduced serum IL-6, TNF-α, insulin, and follicular fluid TNF-α, indicating improved inflammation and insulin resistance. Despite no changes in follicular IL-6 and insulin, findings suggest enhanced metabolic environment and potential reproductive outcomes.
  • Keywords: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Empagliflozin, Insulin, IL-6, TNF-α