Elevated Circulating Levels of Carnal ENST00000550337.1 Are Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Chinese Women

Whispers of the polycystic ovary syndrome theater: Directing role of long noncoding RNAs

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder that implicates a spectrum of clinical manifestations, including hormonal imbalance, metabolic dysfunction, and even compromised ovarian granulosa cell (GC) activity. The underlying molecular mechanisms of PCOS remain elusive, presenting a significant barrier to effective diagnosis and treatment. This review delves into the emerging role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the pathophysiology of PCOS, articulating their intricate interactions with mRNAs, microRNAs, and other epigenetic regulators that collectively influence the hormonal and metabolic milieu of PCOS. We examine the dynamic regulatory networks orchestrated by lncRNAs that impact GC function, steroidogenesis, insulin resistance, and inflammatory pathways. By integrating findings from recent studies, we illuminate the potential of lncRNAs as biomarkers for PCOS and highlight their contribution to the disorder, offering a detailed perspective on the lncRNA-mediated modulation of gene expression and pathogenic pathways. Understanding targeted lncRNA interactions with PCOS proposes novel avenues for therapeutic intervention to ameliorate the reproductive and metabolic disturbances characteristic of the syndrome.

Expression profile analysis of LncRNAs and mRNAs in pre-receptive endometrium of women with polycystic ovary syndrome undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer

BACKGROUND

To compare the expression levels of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) and messenger RNA (mRNA) in pre-receptive endometrium between patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)and normal ovulation undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODS

Endometrial tissues were collected with endometrial vacuum curette in pre-receptive phase (3 days after oocytes retrieval) from PCOS and control groups. LncRNAs and mRNAs of endometrium were identified via RNA sequencing and alignments. A subset of 9 differentially expressed lncRNAs and 11 mRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)in 22 PCOS patients and 18 ovulation patients. The function of mRNAs with differential expression patterns were explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG).

RESULTS

We found out 687 up-regulated and 680 down-regulated mRNAs, as well as 345 up-regulated and 63 down-regulated lncRNAs in the PCOS patients in contrast to normal ovulation patients. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of 11 mRNAs, and validated that the expression of these 6 mRNAs CXCR4, RABL6, OPN3, SYBU, IDH1, NOP10 were significantly elevated among PCOS patients, and the expression of ZEB1 was significantly decreased. qRT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of 9 lncRNAs, and validated that the expression of these 7 lncRNAs IDH1-AS1, PCAT14, FTX, DANCR, PRKCQ-AS1, SNHG8, TPT1-AS1 were significantly enhanced among PCOS patients. Bioinformatics analysis showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved KEGG pathway were tyrosine metabolism, PI3K-Akt pathway, metabolic pathway, Jak-STAT pathway, pyruvate metabolism, protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum, oxidative phosphorylation and proteasome. The up-regulation of GO classification was involved in ATP metabolic process, oxidative phosphorylation, RNA catabolic process, and down-regulation of GO classification was response to corticosteroid, steroid hormone, and T cell activation.

CONCLUSION

Our results determined the characteristics and expression profile of endometrial lncRNAs and mRNAs in PCOS patients in pre-receptive phase, which is the day 3 after oocytes retrival. The possible pathways and related genes of endometrial receptivity disorders were found, and those lncRNAs may be developed as a predictive biomarker of endometrium in pre-receptive phase.

CXCL13 and CXCR5 are upregulated in PCOS mice ovaries but downregulated following metformin administration

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is becoming a common pathology among women, yet its pathogenesis remains enigmatic. The chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 13 (CXCL13) and its receptor type 5 (CXCR5) regulate inflammatory responses but their roles in PCOS remain unknown. Metformin is commonly administered to PCOS patients but its mechanism of action remains unclear. Thus, we aimed to determine the expression of CXCL13 and CXCR5 in the ovaries of PCOS mice and to evaluate the therapeutic effect of metformin on them. The study comprised four groups of mice: control, PCOS, PCOS plus metformin, and PCOS plus vehicle. CXCL13 and CXCR5 were found to be elevated in the ovarian tissues of the PCOS mice. Metformin reduced ovarian CXCL13 and CXCR5 expressions in the PCOS mice. Hence, CXCL13 and CXCR5 are potentially involved in PCOS pathogenesis; and metformin may help alleviate the symptoms of PCOS by inhibiting CXCL13 expression and actions.

Berberine Improves the Symptoms of DHEA-Induced PCOS Rats by Regulating Gut Microbiotas and Metabolites

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of berberine on polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) with insulin resistance (IR).

DESIGN

This study performed 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis on dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rats treated with berberine, focusing on the improvement of PCOS-IR by modifying gut microbiota and metabolism.

METHODS

Forty-two female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups of 8 rats each (PCOS + HFD, PCOS + HFD + BBR, NCD + PCOS, and NCD + PCOS + BBR groups). Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index-related indicators and hormone level in serum were analyzed. 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomic analysis were performed on DHEA-induced PCOS rats treated with berberine. In addition, the differential microbiotas and metabolites were screened. Also, enrichment analysis was carried out on the differential metabolites. Finally, we constructed a correlation network to analyze the correlation between differential microbiotas and metabolites.

RESULTS

Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were changed at the phylum level, and Romboutsia, Bacteroides, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 were changed at the genus level after berberine treatment. In addition, a total of 26 differential operational taxonomic units and 3 metabolites (glutamine, unsaturated acids [CH = CH], and glucose) between 2 groups were obtained. Moreover, these metabolites were mainly involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus, 2-component system, and ABC transporter Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways. And, 3 microbiotas (Lachnospiraceae_NC2004_group, Flavonifractor, and Parasutterella) were regulated by glucose and glutamine.

LIMITATIONS

The sample size involved in this study is relatively small. In addition, relevant experiments need to be performed to verify the obtained results from this study, and in-depth functional studies are needed.

CONCLUSIONS

Berberine is effective in improving the pathological condition in PCOS by regulating the gut microbiotas and metabolites. This study will provide evidence for therapeutic efforts to treat PCOS-IR using berberine.