Mapping Research in the Obesity, Adipose Tissue, and MicroRNA Field: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract

Recent studies have investigated the control of adipose tissue expansion and inflammatory process by microRNAs (miRNAs). These two processes are of great interest because both are associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. However, despite the great relevance of the role of miRNAs in obesity and adipose tissue, no qualitative and quantitative analysis on the subject has been performed. Thus, we aimed to examine global research activity and current trends with respect to the interaction between obesity, adipose tissue and miRNAs through a bibliometric analysis. This research was performed on the Scopus database for publications containing miRNA, obesity, and adipose tissue keyword combinations. In total, 898 articles were analyzed and the most frequently occurring keywords were selected and clustered into three well-defined groups. As a result, first group of keywords pointed to the research area on miRNAs expressed in obesity-associated diseases. The second group demonstrated the regulation of the adipogenesis process by miRNAs, while the third group highlighted brown adipose tissue and thermogenesis as one of the latest global research trends related to the theme. The studies selected in this paper describe the expression and performance of different miRNAs in obesity and comorbidities. Most studies have focused on identifying miRNAs and signaling pathways associated with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. Thus, the miRNA profile for these diseases may be used as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated diseases.

A bibliometric analysis of research on herbal medicine for obesity over the past 20 years

“…[ 13 ] There are international bibliometric studies on obesity, including the following: a publication on global obesity research trends from 1999 to 2017, [ 14 ] a report on research trends in global intestinal microbiota studies within the domain of obesity research, [ 15 ] and a paper that provided a literature update related to obesity and miRNAs. [ 16 ] However, to date, no bibliometric studies have been conducted on herbal medicines for obesity.…”

Changes in subcutaneous adipose tissue microRNA expression in response to exercise training in African women with obesity

“…Accumulating literature reports that miRNAs regulate gene expression in response to environmental and nutritional cues to orchestrate cellular responses in obesity and insulin resistance 10 . In adipose tissue, miRNAs regulate adipocyte differentiation and tissue expansion, with over 40 miRNAs correlated with obesity and type 2 diabetes 10 , 11 . Adipose tissue miRNAs have also been implicated in the control of metabolic and inflammatory processes 12 , and have been shown to vary between adipose depots 5 .…”

Differences in circulating obesity-related microRNAs in Austrian and Japanese men: A two-country cohort analysis

“…Genetic susceptibility to obesity involves epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation and histone modification, which are influenced by age and environmental factors such as diet and physical activity [ 6 ]. microRNAs (miRNAs), non-coding single-strand RNAs consisting of 20–25 bases, also play a role in epigenetic modifications of obesity-associated genes [ 7 , 8 ]. Circulating miRNAs are also promising biomarkers for detection of various diseases, and there has been an accumulation of information on circulating miRNAs that are different in individuals with and without obesity [ [9] , [10] , [11] ].…”