Whey Protein Supplementation Improves the Glycemic Response and May Reduce Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Related Biomarkers in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Main Authors: Emily L. Zumbro, Manisha Rao, Shenavia Balcom-Luker, K. Shane Broughton, Monique J. LeMieux
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
• Series: Nutrients
• Subjects: polycystic ovary syndrome; sex hormone-binding globulin; non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; whey proteins; blood glucose; exploratory study
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/13/7/2451

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) increases type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) with insulin resistance. We hypothesized that a 35 g whey preload would improve insulin sensitivity and glucose handling while reducing biomarkers associated with NAFLD. Twenty-nine age-matched women (CON = 15, PCOS = 14) completed oral glycemic tolerance tests following baseline (Day 0) as well as an acute (Day 1) and short-term whey supplementation (Day 7). Whey had an interaction effect on glucose (<i>p</i> = 0.02) and insulin (<i>p</i> = 0.03), with glucose remaining stable and insulin increasing with whey supplementation. Insulin sensitivity (<i>p</i> < 0.01) improved with whey associated with increased glucagon secretion (<i>p</i> < 0.01). Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) remained unchanged, but “day” had an effect on the AST:ALT ratio (<i>p</i> = 0.04), whereas triglycerides and sex hormone binding globulin overall were greater in the PCOS group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Total cholesterol decreased in PCOS (by 13%) and CON (by 8%) (NS). HepG2 cells treated with plasma from participants before and after whey decreased lipid accumulation in the PCOS group after whey (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Whey provided an insulinogenic and glycemic homeostatic effect in women with PCOS with the potential to combat NAFLD-consequences.