Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disease afflicting women of childbearing age. It is characterized by irregular menstruation, clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenemia, and polycystic ovary morphology. As a complex endocrine-metabolic syndrome, PCOS shares several endocrine-metabolic features with the metabolic syndrome (MS), with insulin resistance at the core of their pathogenic mechanisms. PCOS and MS are interrelated and thus have similarities in treatment. Currently, the common treatment modalities for both are lifestyle intervention, medication, and surgery. More studies have shown that lifestyle intervention and regulation of intestinal flora are more effective and sustainable. However, progress towards treatment and cure is hampered by unclear etiology and mechanisms. This review aimed to summarize the relationship between PCOS and MS, the pathogenesis of metabolic disorders, and the current nutritional therapeutic strategies, especially lifestyle modifications and modulation of intestinal flora. Lifestyle interventions combined with the regulation of gut flora can be a new perspective for treatment. This perspective has a positive significance in the early diagnosis, adoption of personalized treatment plans, and prevention of complications in PCOS and MS. The need to prevent the occurrence of MS in patients with PCOS should be emphasized.

The aging of the global population has made postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention essential; however, pharmacological treatments are limited. Herein, we evaluate the effect of calcium-fortified fresh milk (FM) in ameliorating postmenopausal osteoporosis in a rat model established using bilateral ovariectomy. After 3 months of FM (containing vitamin D, and casein phosphopeptides, 1000 mg Ca/100 g) or control milk (110 mg Ca/100 g milk) supplementation, bone changes were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, microcomputed tomography, and bone biomechanical testing. The results revealed that FM can regulate bone metabolism and gut microbiota composition, which act on bone metabolism through pathways associated with steroid hormone biosynthesis, relaxin signaling, serotonergic synapse, and unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis. Furthermore, FM administration signif icantly increased bone mineral content and density in the lumbar spine and femur, as well as femoral compressive strength, while improving femoral trabecular bone parameters and microarchitecture. Mechanistically, we found that the effects may be due to increased levels of estrogen, bone formation marker osteocalcin, and procollagen type Ⅰ N-propeptide, and decreased expression of the bone resorption marker C-telopeptide and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b. Overall, the f indings suggest that FM is a potential alternative therapeutic option for ameliorating postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Nutrients in human milk, including minerals, relate growth and development of breast-fed infants. Tibetan mother-infant dyads possess unique characteristics on early nutrition due to their featured long-lasting life-style. This study longitudinally investigated the relationship between the mineral composition in human milk and the z-scores of infants among Tibetan mother-infant dyads during their first 6 months postpartum through a perspective cohort study. The results show that the minerals of Na, Mg, K, Ca, Cu, Zn, and Se were of higher levels in colostrum than other lactation stages. Several minerals were below the recommended values for infants according to Chinese dietary guidelines. Besides, a large proportion of infant z-scores were below -2 as lactation period continued. Multivariate statistical analysis revealed that classifications and correlations in varying degrees were observed between minerals in human milk and infant z-scores. These findings will be advantageous for research upon Chinese early nutrition and progress of tailor-made infant formula.