Effect of myo-inositol on blood glucose in patients with gestational diabetes

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of myo-inositol on the changes in blood glucose levels in women with gestational diabetes. The main finding was that myo-inositol was effective in reducing changes in blood glucose levels in these patients.

Insulin is the hormone that controls blood glucose. It helps glucose from the blood move into the cells to be used for energy. Without insulin, glucose would remain in the blood resulting in diabetes. In pregnancy, cells become slightly insulin resistant. Therefore, the body needs to work hard to produce more insulin. Sometimes, the body cannot make enough insulin in pregnancy to keep the blood glucose levels low. This is known as gestational diabetes (GDM).

Myo-inositol is a sugar that helps cells use insulin more efficiently by decreasing insulin resistance. Therefore, it can help prevent GDM in women who are at risk. Glucose variability (GV) is the change in blood glucose levels. The effect of myo-inositol on the GV in GDM is unknown.

This study included 12 pregnant women with GDM. 6 women received 2g myo-inositol and 200mg folic acid twice a day. The other 6 women received only 200mg folic acid twice a day. Patients were treated from the 30^th week of pregnancy until delivery.

Myo-inositol lowered blood glucose levels for the first days after treatment. Women who were treated with myo-inositol had better blood glucose control (measured by GV). However, overall glucose reduction was similar between the two groups. No side effects were recorded.

The authors concluded that myo-inositol effectively reduced GV in women with GDM.

This was a very small study with only 12 patients. Much larger studies are required for conclusive results.