Long non-coding RNA expression in non-obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and weight-matched controls.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) do not show protein translation but do have gene regulatory functions in several disease states. Studies have shown that lncRNA differ in overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), increased insulin resistance and hyperandrogenaemia. The objective of this study was to determine the lncRNA in serum in age- and weight-matched non-obese women with and without PCOS. METHODS: In this prospective pilot cohort study, lncRNA were measured in serum in 13 non-obese women with PCOS and 10 control women undergoing IVF. RESULTS: There was no difference between groups in terms of age, body mass index or insulin resistance. Women with PCOS showed a higher free androgen index (FAI; P = 0.03) and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration (P = 0.001). A total of 29 lncRNA (P ≤ 0.05) differed between PCOS groups. lncRNA AC095350.1 correlated with age (r = 0.79, P = 0.04), but no correlation was seen between the significantly different lncRNA and FAI or AMH values. Functional pathway assessment using the Ingenuity Pathway Assessment tool showed no relationships for the lncRNA. CONCLUSION: lncRNA in serum differed between non-obese women with PCOS and the control group, and the pattern of expression differed from that reported in obese women with PCOS from the same ethnic population; however, it but did not correlate with androgen or insulin resistance.