Identification of miR-16-5p and miR-155-5p microRNAs differentially expressed in circulating leukocytes of pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes.

INTRODUCTION: Pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at increased risk of gestational diabetes (GDM). We aimed to assess the expressions of candidate microRNAs (miRs) in leukocytes of pregnant women with PCOS and GDM. Methods: Using real-time quantitative PCR method, miR-16-5p and miR-155-5p were examined from PCOS (n = 17), GDM (n = 14), GDM + PCOS (n = 11), and controls (n = 27). The relative expression levels of the candidate miRNAs were compared between patient and control samples. The results were calculated as relative quantification values (RQ). Results: After adjusting for potential confounding variables using ANCOVA, no significant differences were observed in miR-16-5p (p = .154) and miR-155-5p (p = .702) expressions among four groups. We found significantly upregulated miR-16-5p expression in PCOS patients (RQ = 12.97 ± 1.94; p = .0001), compared to controls (RQ = 2.32 ± 1.46). Decreased miR-155-5p was found in GDM women (RQ = 0.80 ± 0.36; p = .04), compared to controls (RQ = 1.78 ± 0.25). Body mass index had a positive correlation with 155-5p in the GDM group (r = 0.55; p = .038). We found strong positive correlation between 1-hour glucose and miR-155-5p in PCOS patients (r = 0.71; p = .001). Fasting glucose (r= -0.63, p = .03) presented significant inverse association with miR-16-5p in the GDM + PCOS group. Discussion: The present study shows for the first time that increased miR-16-5p expression is associated with PCOS in pregnancy. Moreover, downregulated miR-155-5p expression was found in relation with GDM.

Expression profiles of candidate microRNAs in the peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with early- and late-onset preeclampsia versus normal pregnancies.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal leucocytes play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules. The purpose of this study was to investigate miR-518b, miR-155-5p, and miR-21-3p in the peripheral blood leukocytes of patients with PE, compared to controls. STUDY DESIGN: Using real-time quantitative PCR method, the selected miRNAs which have been associated with PE were examined from early- onset PE (EOPE) (<34 weeks) (n = 48), late- onset PE (LOPE) (≥34 weeks) (n = 48), total cases of PE (n = 96), and healthy controls (n = 52). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relative expression of the target miR in patient samples was compared to the calibrator and the results were expressed as relative quantification values. RESULTS: Gestational age (GA) was significantly different between PE and controls. Univariate logistic regression analysis adjusted for GA at blood draw were fit to compare miR-518b, miR-155-5p, and miR-21-3p between PE and controls. The expression of miR-518b, miR-155-5p, and miR-21-3p were not significantly different in PE, compared to controls. The expression of miR-518b was upregulated in the EOPE and LOPE group, compared to controls, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of miR-518b was 0.65 and 0.62, respectively. miR-518b was positively correlated with WBC count, platelet count, serum levels of AST, ALT, LDH in EOPE. miR-21-3p expression level was negatively correlated with body mass index at blood draw and systolic blood pressure in the LOPE group. CONCLUSIONS: Increased miR-518b expression levels were found to be associated with EOPE and LOPE.

Differential expression of candidate circulating microRNAs in maternal blood leukocytes of the patients with preeclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia (PE) is diagnosed in women presenting with new onset hypertension accompanied by proteinuria. Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the carbohydrate intolerance that can occur in pregnancy. Neutrophil activation is related to PE and GDM. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) are small, noncoding RNA molecules. The aim of this study was to verify the expression levels of three candidate miRs in blood leukocytes of the patients with PE, GDM, and PE-GDM compared to healthy controls. STUDY DESIGN: We selected miR-21-3p, miR-155-5p, and miR-16-5p which have been associated with GDM and PE. Using real-time quantitative PCR, the expression levels of miR-21-3p, miR-155-5p, miR-16-5p were analyzed in PE (n = 23), GDM (n = 19), PE, and GDM (n = 9) compared to healthy controls (n = 28). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The relative expression of the target miR in patient samples was compared to the calibrator and the results were expressed as relative quantification values. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in the expression levels of miR-21-3p in GDM and PE and miR-155-5p in PE group. No significant differences were observed in the expression levels of miRs in PE-GDM group. On receiving operator characteristic (ROC) analysis, areas under the curve (AUC) of the expression ratio of miR-21-3p in GDM was 0.73, and miR-21-3p, miR-155-5p in PE were 0.69 and 0.81, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that decreased miR-21-3p and miR-155-5p expression levels are associated with PE and miR-21-3p levels are associated with GDM. Our study for the first time revealed that miR-21-3p, miR-16-5p and miR155-5p are not related to PE-GDM group.

Abdominal wall endometriosis in patients with a history of cesarian section.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to review the characteristics, intraoperative and radiological findings of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE). METHODS: This retrospective observational cohort study was executed through analysis of the medical records of patients who underwent excision of AWE between January 2000 and June 2017. All the diagnoses were confirmed pathologically. Characteristics, intraoperative and radiological findings of patients with AWE were and analyzed. RESULTS: Each of the 20 patients had a history of at least one prior cesarean section. The main presenting symptoms were pain (70%). Ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 95% and 45 % of the patients, respectively. One patient (5%) was investigated by 18 Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography - computed tomography. The preoperative radiological diagnosis was correcting in 55 % of the cases. The mean diameter of the masses was 4.7 ± 1.53 cm. Recurrence was found only in one patient during 36-month follow-up. DISCUSSION: Meticulous anamnesis, accurate clinical examination and proper imaging studies, are important guides for diagnosis. CONCLUSION: AWE should be kept in mind when pain or mass is detected on the abdominal wall of women who have cesarean section history. KEY WORDS: Abdominal wall endometriosis, Cesarean section, Radiology, Scar endometriosis.