Plasma MicroRNAs related to metabolic syndrome in Mexican women

Abstract

Introduction: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of abnormalities related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Circulating miRNAs (c-miRNAs) are non-coding RNAs associated with different phenotypes, some of them integrating the MetS. The aim of the study is to compare the c-miRNAs profile in plasma between women with MetS and controls, and explore their possible association with dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Methods: The study was conducted in two phases. At the screening phase, miRNA composition in fasting plasma was compared between 8 participants with MetS and 10 healthy controls, using microarray technology. The validation phase included the analysis by qRT-PCR of 10 selected c-miRNAs in an independent sample (n=29). Results: We found 21 c-miRNAs differentially expressed between cases and controls. The concentration in plasma of the c-miRNAs hsa-miR-1260a, hsa-miR-4514 and hsa-miR-4687-5p were also correlated with risk factors for CVD. Differences of hsa-miR-1260a between cases and controls were validated using qRT-PCR. (Fold-change= 7.0; P= 0.00289). Conclusion: The signature of plasma c-miRNA differed between women with MetS and controls. The identified miRNAs regulate pathways related to the MetS such as insulin resistance and adipokine activity. The role of c-miR-1260a in the MetS remains to be elucidated.