High serum miR-421 is associated with metabolic dysregulation and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome

• Published in: Epigenomics Vol. 13; no. 6; pp. 423 - 436
• Main Authors: Braga, Aécio A, Bortolin, Raul H, Graciano-Saldarriaga, Magda E, Hirata, Thiago Dc, Cerda, Alvaro, de Freitas, Renata Cc, Lin-Wang, Hui T, Borges, Jessica B, França, João Id, Masi, Laureane N, Curi, Rui, Pithon-Curi, Tania C, Sampaio, Marcelo F, Castro, Lara R, Bastos, Gisele M, Hirata, Rosario Dc, Hirata, Mario H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Future Medicine Ltd 01-03-2021
• Subjects: adiponectin; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biomarkers - blood; C-Reactive Protein - analysis; circulating miRNAs; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Gene Expression Regulation; Humans; inflammation; Inflammation - blood; Inflammation - etiology; Inflammation - pathology; Insulin Resistance; Male; metabolic syndrome; Metabolic Syndrome - complications; MicroRNAs - blood; MicroRNAs - genetics; Middle Aged; miR-421; obesity; Prognosis; Resistin - blood; Triglycerides - blood; metabolic syndrome; miR-421; adiponectin; inflammation; circulating miRNAs; insulin resistance; obesity
• ISSN: 1750-1911; 1750-192X
• DOI: 10.2217/epi-2020-0247

To explore the association of circulating miRNAs with adiposity, metabolic status and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Serum levels of 372 miRNAs were measured in patients with (n = 6) and without MetS (n = 6) by quantitative PCR array, and dysregulated miRNAs were validated in a larger cohort (MetS, n = 89; non-MetS, n = 144).
In the screening study, seven miRNAs were dysregulated in patients with MetS, and miR-421 remained increased in the validation study. miR-421 was associated with a high risk of MetS and insulin resistance and hypertension and correlated with glycated hemoglobin, triacylglycerols, high-sensitivity CRP, IL-6, resistin and adiponectin (p < 0.05).
Circulating miR-421 is a potential biomarker for insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation and inflammatory status in patients with MetS.
This study aimed to explore the association of circulating regulatory small molecules (miRNAs) with obesity, metabolic alterations and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Levels of 372 miRNAs were measured in blood serum of patients with and without MetS using molecular biology techniques. Seven miRNAs were altered in patients with MetS, and one of them (miR-421) was associated with a high risk of MetS, insulin resistance and hypertension. miR-421 was also correlated with glycated hemoglobin (used for glycemia monitoring), serum lipids and inflammatory molecules. Circulating miR-421 is a small molecule with potential biomarker for insulin resistance, metabolic dysregulation and inflammatory status in patients with MetS.