Recently, there has been growing interest in the complex and diverse functions of insulin—not only as a regulator of blood glucose, but also as a growth factor and biological regulator. This review (https://doi.org/10.23812/j.biol.regul.homeost.agents.20233709.440) examines the literature on insulin resistance (IR) as a causative and exacerbating factor in functional urological disorders, including overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome.

Patients with OAB (overactive bladder) or similar disorders often present with seemingly unrelated medical issues, such as metabolic syndrome, fibromyalgia, psoriatic arthritis, and polycystic ovary syndrome. However, these conditions interact with one another and can give rise to complex clinical scenarios. The reviewed literature outlines a pathophysiological framework linking these disorders, which share an underlying chronic inflammation and oxidative stress driven by insulin resistance (IR). Growing evidence—from both animal model studies and randomized clinical trials—indicates that certain molecules, such as myo-inositol (MI), magnesium (Mg²⁺), folic acid (FoA), vitamin C (Vc), ferulic acid (FA), and vitamin D (Vd), are effective in the functional treatment of bladder disorders and other IR-related syndromes. Their success is primarily attributable to their insulin-sensitizing actions, as well as their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, these treatments are generally safe and well-tolerated, whether used alone or in combination with existing therapies. Therefore, administering such substances to patients with conditions in which IR is known to be a key etiological factor is scientifically justified and represents a promising therapeutic approach with potential future applications.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23812/j.biol.regul.homeost.agents.20233709.440