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Serum microRNA-486-5p expression in obese Egyptian children and its possible association with fatty liver
Mahmoud A Al Azzouny1, Eman G Behiry1, Ola G Behairy2
1Department of Chemical and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Egypt.
Insights
MicroRNA-486-5p (miR-486-5p) is elevated in obese children and correlates with obesity markers and fatty liver. This microRNA may predict obesity and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a role in adipogenesis, with white adipose tissue being a key source.
- Understanding miRNA expression in pediatric obesity is crucial for identifying disease mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate miR-486-5p expression in obese children.
- To investigate the association between miR-486-5p and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in pediatric obesity.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study involving 100 obese/overweight children and 100 normal-weight children.
- miR-486-5p expression levels were measured using real-time RT-PCR.
Main Results:
- Obese children exhibited significantly higher miR-486-5p expression (p < 0.001).
- miR-486-5p positively correlated with weight, BMI, waist circumference, fat mass, LDL, TG, TC, and fatty liver presence.
- A cutoff value of 0.44 for miR-486-5p predicted obesity with 60% sensitivity and 90% specificity (AUC 0.736).
Conclusions:
- Serum miR-486-5p is upregulated in obese and overweight children.
- miR-486-5p may serve as an independent predictor for obesity and fatty liver susceptibility in children.
Aims:
Several microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in regulating the process of adipogenesis. White adipose tissue is a major source for these miRNAs. We aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-486-5p in children with obesity and its possible association with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
Method:
This case-control study included 100 obese and overweight children and 100 normal-weight children of matched age and sex. All children were subjected to anthropometric measurements and evaluation of miR-486-5p expression levels using the SYBR green-based real-time RT-PCR technique.
Results:
Obese children showed significantly up-regulated miR-486-5p gene expression (p value < 0.001) when compared to control group. MiR-486-5p gene expression showed significant positive correlation with weight (r = 0.924), BMI (r = 0.497), waist circumference (r = 0.387), fat mass (r = 0.361), LDL(r = 0.351), TG (r = 0.867), TC (r = 0.875) and presence of fatty liver (r = 0.760). The best cutoff value of miR-486-5p gene expression in the prediction of obesity was 0.44 with AUC 0.736 that has a sensitivity 60% and specificity 90%, CONCLUSION: The serum level of the miR-486-5p gene is up-regulated in obese and overweight children and might be an independent predictor for obesity and fatty liver susceptibility.
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