Increased expression of circulating miRNA-93 in women with polycystic ovary syndrome may represent a novel, non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis

Sci Rep. 2015 Nov 19:5:16890. doi: 10.1038/srep16890.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNA) are a novel class of small noncoding single-stranded RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. There is increasing evidence of their importance in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The objective was to determine if miRNA-93 and miRNA-223 are differentially expressed in the circulation of women with PCOS compared to age matched women. A case-control study comparing women with PCOS (n = 25) to age and weight matched controls (n = 24) without PCOS was performed. MiRNA-93 and miRNA-223 were determined by total RNA reverse transcription. Both miRNA-93 and miRNA-223 were significantly increased relative to the control group (p < 0.01, p = 0.029 respectively). In both groups there was no correlation of either miRNA-93 or miRNA-223 with insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-β or testosterone levels. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve for miR-223 and miR-93 was 0.66 and 0.72 respectively, suggesting miR-93 is a more efficient biomarker than miR-223 for diagnosis of PCOS. The combination of the two miRNAs together, tested using multiple logistic regression analysis, did not improve the diagnostic potential. In conclusion, circulating miRNA-93 and miRNA-223 were higher in women with PCOS compared to age and weight matched controls independent of insulin resistance and testosterone levels, and miR-93 may represent a novel diagnostic biomarker for PCOS.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 3' Untranslated Regions / genetics
  • Adult
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Body Mass Index
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Demography
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / blood*
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome / genetics*
  • ROC Curve
  • Software
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • 3' Untranslated Regions
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs
  • MIR223, human
  • MIRN93 microRNA, human