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Clinical perspectives for D-chiroinositol dose-dependent supplementation in estrogen-dependent hyperproliferative gynecological diseases

https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.724

Abstract

D-chiroinositol (D-CI) is an endogenous molecule that plays a key role in the insulin signaling cascade. Insulin promotes the release of inositolphosphoglycans, which contain D-CI so that D-CI deficiency in cells and tissues is directly related to insulin resistance. The mechanism of action of all insulin sensitizers is linked to increasing free D-CI concentration. However, the role of D-CI in vivo is not limited to mediating insulin signal transduction, as it is also involved in the dose-dependent regulation of various other essential physiological processes. This enables D-CI-level-based modulation of distinct physiological functions. D-CI dose-dependently modulates the activity of key steroidogenic enzymes, including 17α-hydroxylase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and aromatase. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties by downmodulating levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), as well as suppressing integrin β3 (protein that in humans is encoded by the ITGB3 gene) gene expression. These effects underpin potential D-CI therapeutic efficacy in managing a broad spectrum of reproductive system disorders. D-CI-related multifaceted effects on insulin resistance, steroidogenesis regulation, and inflammation position this molecule as a promising pharmaconutrient for correcting a wide range of conditions – spanning from insulin resistance syndrome with hyperandrogenism in polycystic ovary syndrome to hyperproliferative, estrogen-dependent diseases such as endometriosis, uterine fibroids, endometrial hyperplasia, and fibrocystic breast disease. The selection of appropriate D-CI daily dosage is a critical determinant underlying its full clinical efficacy.

About the Authors

O. A. Gromova
Federal Research Center «Computer Science and Control», Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Olga A. Gromova, MD, Dr Sci Med, Prof.

Scopus Author ID: 7003589812

44 bldg. 2, Vavilova Str., Moscow 119333



I. Yu. Torshin
Federal Research Center «Computer Science and Control», Russian Academy of Sciences
Russian Federation

Ivan Yu. Torshin, MD, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, PhD in Chemistry

Scopus Author ID: 7003300274. WoS ResearcherID: C-7683-2018

44 bldg. 2, Vavilova Str., Moscow 119333



G. B. Dikke
Inozemtsev Academy of Medical Education
Russian Federation

Galina B. Dikke, MD, Dr Sci Med, Prof.

22 Litera M, Moskovskiy Prospekt, Saint Petersburg 190013



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What is already known about this subject?

► Inositols are involved in regulating insulin, androgen (testoste­rone), and estrogen metabolism. D-chiroinositol (D-CI) is essential for functioning of signaling pathways underlying biological effects coupled to insulin receptors, reproductive hormones, and regulation of aromatase activity.

► Increased extragonadal aromatase expression along with hyper­androgenism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is reduced by using inositols – myoinositol (MI) and D-CI as insulin secondary messengers.

► Analyzing inositol stereoisomers revealed significant differences in the pharmacological effects mediated by MI and D-CI. A dose-dependent relationship was established between D-CI and aromatase (CYP19A1) activity in estrogen-dependent hyper­proliferative disorders.

What are the new findings?

► Hormone-dependent proliferation is induced by special active estrogen metabolites 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16α-hyd­roxyestrone (16α-OHE1), the ratio of which with testosterone regulates proliferative processes.

► D-CI effectively counteracts the pathophysiology of endometriosis, uterine fibroids, menstrual cycle disorders, and PCOS.

► Monotherapy with high dose D-CI and combination therapy with dienogest (DG) at lower doses significantly reduced the quantity, size and vascularization of endometriotic lesions compared to the control.

How might it impact on clinical practice in the foreseeable future?

► D-CI monotherapy significantly downregulates SIRT1 gene (sirtuin-1, a marker of aging) expression and increases the level of E-cadherin (a marker of slowed development of endometriosis as well as ectopic foci).

► Intake of D-CI reduced cell proliferation (assessed by histological marker PCNA) and developing small blood vessel network (assessed by marker CD34), as well as downregulated aromatase (CYP19A1) expression.

► In patients treated with D-CI and DG, regulation/normalization of the Ki-67 proliferation index (9.8 ± 4.5 %, normal: < 10 %) and VEGF expression (1.83 ± 0.53 units, normal: < 2.0 units) was observed. D-CI as part of combination therapy reduces the HOMA-IR index (2.44 ± 0.56 vs. 3.23 ± 0.52; p < 0.001), improves the lipid profile (decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides – by 1.2–1.4-fold; high-density lipoproteins increased by 1.3-fold).

Review

For citations:


Gromova O.A., Torshin I.Yu., Dikke G.B. Clinical perspectives for D-chiroinositol dose-dependent supplementation in estrogen-dependent hyperproliferative gynecological diseases. Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction. 2026;20(2):335-351. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.17749/2313-7347/ob.gyn.rep.2026.724

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