Comparative Analysis of Gene and MicroRNA Expression in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue in Metabolically Healthy and...

Metabolically healthy (MHO) and unhealthy obesity (MUO) exhibit distinct molecular genetic mechanisms underlying metabolic disorders. Studying gene and microRNA expression in subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) may reveal key pathogenetic differences between these phenotypes. We compared the expression of genes (ADIPOQ, HIF1A, CCL2) and microRNAs (miR-142-3p, miR-155, miR-378) in SAT between MHO and MUO patients and assessed their association with metabolic parameters. The study included 39 obese patients (19 MHO, 20 MUO) and 10 healthy controls. SAT biopsies were analyzed using real-time PCR. Correlations with clinical and metabolic markers were evaluated. Obese patients showed decreased ADIPOQ (p = 0.039) and miR-142 (p = 0.008) expression and increased CCL2 (p = 0.004), miR-155 (p = 0.017), and miR-378 (p = 0.04) expression compared to the controls. MUO patients exhibited higher HIF1A expression (p = 0.03) and strong correlations between CCL2 and dyslipidemia (total cholesterol, triglycerides)/dysglycemia (fasting glucose) (r = 0.45, p = 0.03; r = 0.52, p = 0.01; r = 0.63, p = 0.001, respectively). miR-142 negatively correlated with fibrosis markers, while miR-378 was linked to insulin resistance. The differential gene and microRNA expression highlights the role of inflammation, hypoxia, and fibrosis in MUO pathogenesis. miR-142-3p, miR-155, and miR-378 may serve as potential biomarkers for metabolic risk stratification and therapeutic targets.