Mediterranean diet enriched in extra-virgin olive oil or nuts modulates circulating exosomal non-coding RNAs

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genetics
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Exosomes are extracellular vesicles involved in intercellular communication.
• Dietary habits can influence gene expression through exosomal RNA modulation.
• Understanding diet-induced exosomal RNA changes is crucial for elucidating health effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the modulation of exosomal long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), messenger RNAs (mRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs) after a 1-year adherence to specific diets.
• To compare the effects of a low-fat diet (LFD) with Mediterranean diets enriched in extra-virgin olive oil (MedDiet+EVOO) or nuts (MedDiet+Nuts) on exosomal RNA content.

Main Methods:

• Plasma samples were collected from 150 participants in the PREDIMED study at baseline and after 1 year.
• Exosomal lncRNAs, mRNAs, and miRNAs were isolated and screened.
• miRNAs were validated using RT-qPCR, and bioinformatic analyses were performed on differentially expressed miRNAs and their target genes.

Main Results:

• MedDiet+EVOO and MedDiet+Nuts interventions significantly modulated numerous exosomal lncRNAs and mRNAs compared to LFD.
• 26 circulating miRNAs were differentially expressed between groups after 1 year.
• Specific metabolic pathways, including PI3K-Akt, AMPK, and insulin resistance, were suggested to be modulated by the dietary interventions based on miRNA target gene analysis.

Conclusions:

• One-year adherence to MedDiet+Nuts and MedDiet+EVOO modulates exosomal RNA content, with MedDiet+Nuts affecting a greater number of miRNAs.
• Modulation of exosomal RNAs provides a potential mechanism for the beneficial effects of Mediterranean diets.
• Further investigation into exosomal RNA modulation by diet is warranted.