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Elevation of circulating microRNA levels in obese children compared to healthy controls

M D Thompson1, M J Cismowski2, M Serpico3

  • 1Division of Endocrinology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA.

Clinical Obesity
|April 12, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Childhood obesity is linked to elevated microRNAs (miRNAs), which may serve as biomarkers for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This study identified specific miRNAs increased in obese children, offering potential diagnostic tools.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Childhood obesity is a growing concern with serious health complications.
  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in obesity and may act as circulating biomarkers.
  • Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common obesity complication, but its severity in children is hard to assess non-invasively.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate circulating miRNA levels in obese children compared to healthy controls.
  • To identify potential miRNA biomarkers for obesity and associated NAFLD in pediatric populations.
  • To evaluate a pre-selected panel of 20 miRNAs known to be involved in NAFLD.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of a panel of 20 candidate circulating miRNAs.
  • Comparison of miRNA expression levels between obese children and healthy controls.
  • Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to assess diagnostic potential.

Main Results:

  • 16 out of 20 tested miRNAs were significantly elevated (at least twofold) in obese children.
  • miR-122 and miR-199a showed the most substantial increases and high diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve).
  • Several miRNAs correlated with body mass index (BMI) and serum transaminases.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating miRNAs can be reliably measured in children.
  • Specific miRNAs are elevated in obese children and may serve as biomarkers for NAFLD.
  • This study provides promising candidates for non-invasive diagnostic tools in pediatric obesity.

Keywords:
Biomarkerscirculating microRNAfatty liverpaediatric obesity

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