title: Up-regulation of miR-21 and 146a expression and increased DNA damage frequency in a mouse model of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a multigenic endocrine disorder, is highly associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, however its etiology remains unclear. In this study, we employed dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-treated mice to reveal the molecular mechanism of inflammation and its correlation with oxidative stress in PCOS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  miR-21 and miR-146a expression levels were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). DNA strand breakage frequency was measured using the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE) assay (comet assay) and micronucleus test (MN). CRP levels were measured by ELISA method and ESR values were measured by means of Micro-Dispette (Fisher No: 02-675-256) tubes according to the manufacturer's instructions. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA in SPSS 21.0 software.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results showed that miR-21 and miR-146a as inflammation markers were upregulated in the sample group in comparison with control group. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C- reactive protein (CRP) levels were also increased in mouse models of PCOS (p < 0.000). Micronucleated polychromatic erythrocyte (MNPCE) rates per 1000 polychromatic erythrocyte (PCE) significantly increased in DHEA treated mice (6.22 ± 3.28) in comparison with the controls (2.33 ± 2.23, p < 0.000). Moreover, mean arbitrary unit in DHEA treated animals (277 ± 92) was significantly higher than that in controls (184 ± 76, p = 0.005).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To conclude, increased DNA strand breakage frequency and increased expression levels of miR-21 and miR-146a in DHEA administrated animals suggest that low grade chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can act as the main etiologies of PCOS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salimi-Asl
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mozdarani
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kadivar
keywords: Dehydroepiandrosterone; Inflammation; Micro RNA; Micronucleus; Polycystic ovary syndrome