Circulating MiRNAs Are Associated With Low-grade Systemic Inflammation and Leptin Levels in Older Adults

This study aimed to assess the expression of 21 circulating miRNAs and their associations with inflammatory biomarkers in older adults. This cross-sectional study was performed with 200 individuals participating in ISA-Nutrition. The systemic low-grade inflammation score (SIS) was calculated from the plasma concentration of 10 inflammatory biomarkers. Circulating miRNA expression was assessed using the Fluidigm method. Wilcoxon-Mann –Whitney test was employed to determine differences in SIS among groups distributed according to sex and presence of MetS. Spearman’s correlation was used to estimate correlations among SIS, leptin levels, miRNA expression, and variables of interest. Analyses were performed using software R vers ion 4.2.3, with a significance level of 0.05. The final sample consisted of 193 individuals with a mean age of 69.1 (SE = 0.5) years, being 64.7% individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Positive correlations were observed between leptin concentration and metabolic risk factors, and leptin co ncentration was higher in individuals with MetS compared to those without MetS. The expression of 15 circulating miRNAs was negatively correlated with leptin concentration. GLMs showed negative associations between miRNAs (miR-15a, miR-16, miR-223, miR-363, miR-532), leptin, and/or SIS values; and o nly miR-21 showed positive association with SIS values. The results suggest the presence of peripheral leptin resistance associated with low-grade inflammation ...
Source: Inflammation - Category: Allergy & Immunology Source Type: research