1D-chiro-Inositol[2] (formerly D-chiro-inositol, commonly abbreviated DCI) is a member of a family of related substances often referred to collectively as "
inositol", although that term encompasses several
isomers of questionable biological relevance, including
1L-chiro-inositol. myo-Inositol is converted into DCI by an insulin dependent NAD/NADH epimerase enzyme.[3][4][5][6][7] It is known to be an important
secondary messenger in
insulinsignal transduction. DCI accelerates the dephosphorylation of glycogen synthase and pyruvate dehydrogenase, rate limiting enzymes of non-oxidative and oxidative glucose disposal. DCI may act to bypass defective normal epimerization of myo-inositol to DCI associated with insulin resistance and at least partially restore insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal.[8] One pilot study found males taking it had increased androgens and reduced estrogen.[9]
^Bizzarri, M.; Carlomagno, G. (July 2014). "Inositol: history of an effective therapy for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome". European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences. 18 (13): 1896–1903.
ISSN2284-0729.
PMID25010620.