Background: Obesity and type-2 diabetes (T2D) are two interconnected public health challenges that have reached epidemic proportions worldwide. Both conditions are characterized by deregulated metabolism. We have a poor knowledge of the fundamental mechanisms underlying these health issues. MicroRNAs (miR) have recently emerged as crucial contributors in the pathophysiology of several metabolic diseases. Among microRNAs, miR-365 and miR-375 have received attention for their possible roles in obesity and T2D. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of miR 365 and 375 in obese adults with and without T2D using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in order to shed light on their potential linkages to these disorders.

Results: MiR-365 is up-regulated in obese with or without T2D. Conversely, miR-375 expression was significantly down-regulated in obese patients without T2D, implying a possible role in impaired insulin secretion and beta-cell dysfunction, whereas miR-375 expression was persistently reduced in obese patients with T2D, potentially contributing to beta-cell dysfunction and impaired insulin secretion. In terms of clinical parameters, miR-365 was associated with both cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels, but miR-375 was associated with only high-density lipoprotein levels.

Conclusions: MiR-365 and miR-375 have unique expression patterns in obese people with and without T2D, indicating that they are involved in the molecular pathways driving these metabolic diseases.