Levels of Circulating miR‐122 are Associated with Weight Loss and Metabolic Syndrome

Abstract

Objective This study investigated whether the levels of specific serum microRNAs (miRNAs) were altered following diet‐induced weight loss and whether the serum miRNAs differed in the presence of the metabolic syndrome. Methods The study was a weight loss intervention trial with a prescribed energy deficit of approximately 500 kcal/d. Levels of 22 miRNAs were determined in serum samples from 85 participants with overweight or obesity. miRNAs were analyzed using TaqMan Array miRNA Cards and normalized to the geometric mean of spiked‐in ath‐miR‐159a and U6 small nuclear RNA using the ΔCT method. Results The average weight loss was 5.7 kg (P < 0.001). miR‐122‐5p (−0.18 ± 0.06 log fold relative to initial, P < 0.01) and miR‐193a‐5p (−0.12 ± 0.04, P < 0.01) levels decreased in response to weight loss. miR‐126a‐3p (0.11 ± 0.04, P = 0.01) and miR‐222‐3p (1.51 ± 0.12, P < 0.001) levels increased. Furthermore, a higher level of miR‐122‐5p was observed at baseline in participants with the metabolic syndrome compared with participants without (0.28 ± 0.08, P < 0.01). Conclusions Changes in circulating miR‐122‐5p, miR‐126a‐3p, miR‐193a‐5p, and miR‐222‐3p in response to diet‐induced weight loss are demonstrated. Furthermore, assessment of miR‐122‐5p could be an indicator of an adverse metabolic health status independent of obesity.

Metformin decreases miR-122, miR-223 and miR-29a in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

“…In our study we found miR-122 significantly correlated with BMI at baseline and upregulated in patients with BMI over 25. This is in accordance with previous clinical studies in which miR-122 has been suggested as a marker of metabolic health, as miR-122 was upregulated in patients with T2D ( 23 ) and obesity ( 37 ) compared with controls, and circulating miR-122 was decreased following a controlled weight loss ( 40 ). In agreement with this hypothesis, we found that miR-122 was significantly decreased in the metformin group at follow-up.…”

“…miRNAs were subsequently analyzed using Human TaqMan low density array (TLDA) cards containing 24 different assays (ThermoFisher Scientific) according to manufacturers’ protocols. The TLDA card was designed to include a total of 21 miRNAs ( 40 , 49 , 62 ) and miRNAs reported in the literature to be associated with metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance or diabetes (Supplementary Table 1, see section on supplementary materials given at the end of this article). In addition to the 21 selected miRNAs, the card contained two spike in controls (ath-miR-159a and cel-miR-39) and one endogenous control (U6).…”

miR-7 Regulates GLP-1-Mediated Insulin Release by Targeting β-Arrestin 1

“…MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are small non-coding single-stranded ribonucleic acids (RNAs), highly conserved from plants to mammals, which are able to enhance messenger RNA (mRNA) degradation and/or inhibit protein translation by binding to the 3′-untranslated regions (UTRs) of target mRNAs [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ]. They play crucial regulatory roles in a variety of biological processes, including regulation of differentiation, development, and function of β cells [ 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Metabolic recovery after weight loss surgery is reflected in serum microRNAs

“… 24 It has been suggested that elevated levels of circulating miR-122 are reduced with weight loss and can be a marker of a harmful metabolic status. 25 …”

“…24 It has been suggested that elevated levels of circulating miR-122 are reduced with weight loss and can be a marker of a harmful metabolic status. 25 The objective of this study was to compare circulating levels of miRNAs in morbidly obese patients and healthy volunteers. Moreover, we analyzed miRNA levels in obese patients after undergoing bariatric surgery to establish its effects on circulating miRNAs.…”