Discovery of novel serum metabolic biomarkers in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome and premature ovarian failure.

Several widely recognized metabolites play a role in regulating the pathophysiological processes of various disorders. Nonetheless, the lack of effective biomarkers for the early diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and premature ovarian failure (POF) has led to the discovery of serum-based metabolic biomarkers for these disorders. We aimed to identify various differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) through serum-based metabolic profiling in patients with PCOS and POF and in healthy individuals by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Furthermore, heatmap clustering, correlation, and Z-score analyses were performed to identify the top DEMs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enriched pathways of DEMs were determined using metabolite-based databases. Moreover, the clinical significance of these DEMs was evaluated on the basis of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Significantly dysregulated expressions of several metabolites were observed in the intergroup comparisons of the PCOS, POF, and healthy control groups. Furthermore, 6 DEMs were most frequently observed among the three groups. The expressions of these DEMs were not only directly correlated but also exhibited potential significance in patients with PCOS and POF. Novel metabolites with up/downregulated expressions can be discovered in patients with PCOS and POF using serum-based metabolomics; these metabolites show good diagnostic performance and can act as effective biomarkers for the early detection of PCOS and POF. Furthermore, these metabolites might be involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of PCOS and POF via interplay with corresponding genes.

Silencing of long non-coding RNA NEAT1 improves Treg/Th17 imbalance in preeclampsia via the miR-485-5p/AIM2 axis.

T-regulatory (Treg)/T-helper 17 (Th17) imbalance is associated with preeclampsia (PE). Herein, we aimed to explore the effect and mechanism of lncRNA NEAT1 on the Treg/Th17 balance. The levels of nuclear enriched abundant transcript 1 (NEAT1), miR-485-5p, and absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2) in CD4+ T cells were determined using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Treg and Th17 cells were examined using flow cytometry. The relationship between miR-485-5p and NEAT1 or AIM2 was assessed using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to analyze the correlation. All the data indicated that NEAT1 was upregulated in PE. The number of Treg cells decreased and was negatively related to NEAT1, whereas the number of Th17 cells increased and was positively related to NEAT1 in PE. Knockdown of NEAT1 increased the Treg cells and Treg/Th17 but decreased Th17 cells. Furthermore, NEAT1 sponges miR-485-5p to suppress the target AIM2 levels. Inhibition of miR-485-5p or upregulation of AIM2 abrogated the effect on Treg/Th17 balance induced by knockdown of NEAT1. In conclusion, silencing of NEAT1 promoted Treg/Th17 balance via the miR-485-5p/AIM2 axis in PE, suggesting that NEAT1 is a potential target for the treatment of PE.