BEIJING, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- Chinese researchers have found that gut microbiota plays an important role in regulating polycystic ovary syndrome, a common health problem in women of childbearing age, providing a new perspective for the prevention and treatment of the symptom.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that can affect women's periods and lead to difficulties in getting pregnant. It is often accompanied by insulin resistance. The mechanism of ovulatory dysfunction and insulin resistance in the symptom remains elusive, thus limiting the development of therapeutics.

Researchers from Peking University Third Hospital and Peking University Health Science Center have investigated the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on the regulation of polycystic ovary syndrome-associated ovarian dysfunction and insulin resistance. They found that the gut bacteria Bacteroides vulgatus was markedly elevated in the gut microbiota of individuals with the symptom.

Further experiments suggest that modifying the gut microbiota and altering bile acid metabolism may be of value for the treatment of the symptom.

Qiao Jie, the leading researcher, said the study was an interdisciplinary research that combines bioinformatics, metabolomics and immunology.

"Our research team will recruit volunteers to conduct large-scale multi-center joint clinical trials in the future to further verify the treatment target," Qiao said.

The research was published in the journal Nature Medicine.