Background
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in regulating obesity, but clinical trials have yielded conflicting results.
Objective
This study aimed to investigate the relationships between circulating levels of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 in obesity and hypertension-related obesity in humans. This may shed light on the pathogenic pathways controlling obesity and provide noninvasive molecular indicators to identify and predict the disease. The relationships between circulating levels of the above miRNAs and variables related to adiposity and lipid profiles were further investigated.
Patients and methods
Using a quantitative real-time P technique, the expression levels of circulating miRNAs were determined in serum samples from 65 obese patients (35 without and 30 with hypertension) and 45 age-matched and sex-matched normal-weight individuals.
Results and conclusion
MiRNAs (221 and 222) have been shown to be differentially expressed in the sera of obese patients compared to controls. In addition, obese hypertensive patients were shown to have higher serum levels of miRNA-222 and miRNA-221 than healthy controls. Serum miRNA-221 was correlated with BMI, cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Thus, circulating levels of miRNA-221 and miRNA-222 inease in obesity and obesity-associated hypertension. These miRNAs may serve as markers for obesity and obesity-induced hypertension.