Circulating microRNAs and adipokines as markers of metabolic syndrome in adolescents with obesity

Background: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) as valuable biomarkers yielded important insights into the pathogenesis of obesity.

Aim: This study aimed to describe the circulating miRNA profile for adolescences and its association with the circulating levels leptin and adiponectin according to specific degree of obesity.

Methods: RT-PCR and immunoassy analysis were used to study circulating miRNA profile, adipokines; adiponectin (A), leptin (L), and L/A ratio as well as other factors of metabolic syndrome (MS) in 250 adolescents with severe obesity.

Results: In morbidly obese adolescents, we identified at least 10 circulating miRNAs, including increased concentrations of miRNAS; miR-142-3p, miR-140-5p, miR-222 miR-143, miR-130, and decreased concentrations of miR-532-5p, miR-423-5p, miR-520c-3p, miR-146a, and miR-15a, which were strongly linked to measures of BMI, WHtR, adipokines; adiponectin, leptin, L/A ratio, and other MS related biomarkers such as FBS, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-peptide, and circulated plasma lipids such as TG, HDL-C, and LDL-C.

Conclusion: Circulating miRNAs showed significant association with plasma levels of adipokines; adiponectin, leptin, and L/A ratios in adolescents with severe obesity. The study provides that regulation of miRNAs expression is associated with adipokines, and other related MS metabolic factors. Thus, early detection of any changes in circulating miRNAs profiles may play a promising role in identifying obese children or adolescents who may suffer from severe metabolic syndrome.