Unveiling Novel Biomarkers: A Clinical Study of miR-146a and miR-222 in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting 5%-10% of women of reproductive age. It is marked by hyperandrogenism, chronic anovulation, and polycystic ovarian morphology, with associated long-term health risks, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and infertility. This study investigates the potential of specific microRNAs, namely miR-146a and miR-222, as novel biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of PCOS. Materials and Methods: A structured, evidence-based approach was undertaken using real-time PCR to analyze the expression levels of miR-146a and miR-222 in Wistar albino rats with DHEA-induced PCOS. Blood samples were collected for RNA extraction and subsequent miRNA expression quantification. The diagnostic potential was evaluated through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of the expression data. Results: Both miR-146a and miR-222 showed upregulation in the PCOS group, compared to controls, though these differences were not statistically significant. ROC analysis indicated that miR-222 had a moderate discriminatory capability, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.70, supporting its potential as a biomarker for PCOS. miR-146a presented an AUC of 0.65, suggesting a less robust but relevant role in differentiating PCOS from control samples. Conclusion: The findings propose that miR-146a and miR-222 may serve as viable biomarkers for PCOS, facilitating the advancement of non-invasive diagnostic methods and targeted therapeutic options. Nevertheless, additional studies with larger sample sizes are essential to substantiate these preliminary findings.