Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women (1)and is associated with increased oxidative stress(2) .Empagliflozin (EMPA), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor, may be effective in reducing the symptoms of this disease by improving insulin resistance and oxidative stress (3). This study investigated the effects of EMPA on oxidative stress and antioxidants in serum and follicular fluid of these patients. Forty women with PCOS were randomly divided into two groups. Empagliflozin (25 mg) and placebo (25 mg ORS solution) and were administered for 8 weeks. Treatment was started two months before the ovulation cycle and continued until the day of oocyte retrieval. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and glutathione reductase/glutathione reductase (GPX/GRD) levels in serum and follicular fluid of these patients were measured by ELISA. Data were analyzed using the Independent T-Test, and the difference between means was considered significant at the P<0.05 level. A significant decrease in serum MDA (P<0.01) and follicular MDA (P<0.05) was observed in the EMPA group. Serum TAC increased significantly in the EMPA group (p<0.001), but follicular TAC did not differ significantly (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in serum and follicular GPX, as well as serum GR between the two groups (P>0.05). However, a significant increase in follicular GR was observed in the EMPA group (P<0.05). Our results showed that EMPA, by reducing MDA levels, increasing serum TAC and follicular GR, reduced oxidative stress in women with PCOS and therefore could play an effective role in reducing disorders in these patients.
