Evaluating myoinositol and α‑lactalbumin for gestational diabetes

This study looked at whether myoinositol and α-lactalbumin can benefit women with diabetes during pregnancy. It found that these supplements may reduce insulin resistance and pre-term birth in these women.

Gestational diabetes (GD) occurs when a pregnant woman’s body becomes resistant to the hormone insulin. Insulin is responsible for reducing levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. High blood sugar due to GD can increase the risks of pregnancy.

The supplement myoinositol has been suggested for women with GD. Myoinositol is a form of inositol, which is made by the human body. Inositol is also found in foods including cantaloupe, corn, and wheat bran. Inositol is involved in how the body’s cells respond to several hormones. Myoinositol may improve polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This metabolic condition is connected to both insulin and reproductive hormones. For women with PCOS, myoinositol may improve sensitivity to insulin. 

However, some patients cannot absorb myoinositol well. α-lactalbumin is a protein found in milk. When they are taken together, α-lactalbumin can improve the absorption of myoinositol.

It is not clear whether supplements of myoinositol and α-lactalbumin can benefit women with GD.

This study included 120 pregnant women with GD. 60 of the women were randomly assigned to the supplement group and took daily myoinositol and α-lactalbumin plus folic acid. The control (comparison) group only took folic acid, which is part of standard prenatal care. All patients were given a diet program, and insulin injections if needed.

Homeostasis assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) uses the amount of insulin and glucose in the blood to estimate insulin resistance. Based on HOMA-IR, the treated group’s insulin resistance decreased after two months of supplements, from 5.2 to 3.1. This was significantly better than the comparison group, even after adjusting for age and weight. 

Significantly fewer women in the supplement group needed to take insulin injections (6.7% vs. 20.3%).

There was a trend toward fewer women in the supplement group having high blood pressure or preeclampsia (3.3% vs. 11.9%).

There were significantly fewer preterm births in the supplement group (0% vs. 15.2%). However, there was no difference in Cesarean sections or intensive care for the babies.

This study found that myoinositol and α-lactalbumin supplements can improve insulin resistance for pregnant women with GD.

This was an open-label study, meaning the women and their doctors knew if they were taking the supplements. The study could be influenced by the placebo effect or health gains due to belief in a treatment.