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D-chiro-inositol

D-chiro-Inositol^[1]

IUPAC name	cis-1,2,4-trans-3,5,6 -Cyclohexanehexol
Other names	DCI 1,2,4/3,5,6-Hexahydroxycyclohexane
Identifiers
CAS number	643-12-9
Properties
Molecular formula	C₆H₁₂O₆
Molar mass	180.16 g/mol
Melting point	230 °C
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa) Infobox disclaimer and references

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. It is known to be an important secondary messenger in insulin signal transduction.^[2]

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DCI is not abundant in most diets although it can be found in significant quantities in buckwheat farinetta and some other foods. It is possible that in higher vertebrates DCI is made from myo-inositol via the action of an epimerase.^[3] Contrary to common claims of the non-availability of DCI, it is in fact commercially available to the public as a nutritional supplement in the US.

DCI appears to have substantial beneficial effects for PCOS, an observation rationalized by the apparent role of DCI in the etiology of PCOS.^[4]^[5]^[6]

References

^ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 4883.
^ Larner J (2002). "D-chiro-inositol--its functional role in insulin action and its deficit in insulin resistance". Int. J. Exp. Diabetes Res. 3 (1): 47-60. PMID 11900279.
^ Sun TH, Heimark DB, Nguygen T, Nadler JL, Larner J (2002). "Both myo-inositol to chiro-inositol epimerase activities and chiro-inositol to myo-inositol ratios are decreased in tissues of GK type 2 diabetic rats compared to Wistar controls". Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 293 (3): 1092-8. doi:10.1016/S0006-291X(02)00313-3. PMID 12051772.
^ Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Reamer P, Gunn RD, Allan G (1999). "Ovulatory and metabolic effects of D-chiro-inositol in the polycystic ovary syndrome". N. Engl. J. Med. 340 (17): 1314-20. PMID 10219066.
^ Iuorno MJ, Jakubowicz DJ, Baillargeon JP, et al (2002). "Effects of d-chiro-inositol in lean women with the polycystic ovary syndrome". Endocrine practice 8 (6): 417-23. PMID 15251831.
^ Nestler JE, Jakubowicz DJ, Iuorno MJ (2000). "Role of inositolphosphoglycan mediators of insulin action in the polycystic ovary syndrome". J. Pediatr. Endocrinol. Metab. 13 Suppl 5: 1295-8. PMID 11117673.