miR-146 como potencial biomarcador de riesgo cardiometabólico en niños que asisten a escuelas públicas en la región andina del Ecuador

Abstract

Background: Childhood obesity is a risk factor for the development of non-communicable diseases in adulthood. Changes in the expression patterns of circulating microRNAs have been correlated with the development of diseases such as obesity, hyperlipidemia and diabetes. Objective: To determine and correlate the serum level of miR-146a in overweight or obese schoolchildren and healthy children from the cities of Quito and Cuenca with anthropometric measurements and serum leptin and adiponectin values. Methods: A case-control study was carried out in children with overweight or obesity (cases) and normal weight (controls) between 6 and 8 years old in the cities of Quito and Cuenca, Ecuador. Anthropometric data and serum levels of leptin and adiponectin were obtained using standardized techniques. The quantification of miR-146a in serum was performed by real-time PCR using the 4-channel ABI QuantStudio5 equipment (Applied Biosystems, Carlsbad, CA, USA). The association between the relative expression of miR-146a and the sociodemographic variables and risk factors were determined using a linear regression model. Results: No significant differences were found in the expression of miR-146a between cases and controls. However, when comparing cases and controls, a trend of greater relative expression of miR-146a was observed in the cases. The miR-146a was not significantly correlated with the anthropometric and metabolic measures of the population with the exception of the sex variable. Girls presented a lower relative expression of miR-146a compared to boys (β: -5.41; -10.50 - 0.33; p = 0.037). Conclusions: The present study suggests that the expression of miR-146a is dependent on the sex of the participant. Boys have higher serum levels of miR-146a compared to girls. No associations were found between the relative expression of miR-146a between cases and controls. However, a trend of greater relative expression of miR-146a in serum was observed in overweight or obese children, which biologically could be associated with an imbalance in the regulation of pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines. Future studies should evaluate other microRNAs and adipokines that could influence the development of obesity and its complications in adulthood.