Abstract
BACKGROUND: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disorder with menstrual and ovulatory irregularities and elevated risk factors for reproductive diseases that affects women in reproductive ages. A significant number of patients with PCOS have insufficient levels of vitamin- D (Vit-D). This study aimed to investigate the effect of Vit-D on the expression of micro-RNAs in PCOS in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 24 female rats randomly were divided into four groups, including: 1) Control., receiving no drug (testosterone enanthate or Vit-D), 2) Pos., receiving the solvent of testosterone enanthate and Vit-D (ethanol), 3) induction of PCOS, receiving testosterone enanthate, and 4) Vit-D: treatment with Vit-D. The blood serum, used for the extraction of miR-186, mir-29, mir-21, Lnc ROR, Lnc MALA1, and H19 Lnc exosomes and the exosomes were separated from the serum. Data analysis was conducted using the ANOVA statistical test and SPSS software version 16 to examine significance at the level of P0.05. RESULTS: The results showed that the expression of miR-186 was significantly increased in the Vit D group compared to the PCOS group (P0.01). Similarly, miR-21 expression was significantly higher in the Vit D group than in the PCOS group (P0.001). However, no significant difference was observed in miR-29 expression between the Vit D and PCOS groups (P0.05). Additionally, the expression of LncRNA H19 (P0.05), Lnc ROR (P0.001), and Lnc MALAT1 (P0.01) was significantly higher in the PCOS group compared to the Vit D group. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Vit-D plays a regulatory role in the expression of exosomal miRNAs and lncRNAs involved in PCOS pathogenesis. Given its potential to modulate genetic factors associated with PCOS, Vit-D supplementation could be considered as a supportive therapeutic strategy for managing PCOS. However, further studies are needed to explore its precise molecular mechanisms and clinical implications.