Hiroya Yamada, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Japan
Koji Suzuki, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciences, Toyoke, Japan
Naohiro Ichino, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciences, Toyoake, Japan
Koji Ohashi, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciencese, Toyoake, Japan
Keisuke Osakabe, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciences, Toyoake, Japan
Keiko Sugimoto, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciences, Toyoake, Japan
Yoshitaka Ando, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciencese, Toyoake, Japan
Hiroaki Ishikawa, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciencese, Toyoake, Japan
Ryoji Teradaira, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciencese, Toyoake, Japan
Takashi Inoue, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of health sciences, Toyoake, Japan
Nobuyuki Hamajima, PhD
,
Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
Shuji Hashimoto, PhD
,
Fujita health University School of Medicine, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies have demonstrated that miRNAs are stably detectable in serum and can serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for various diseases. It has been reported that some miRNAs, such as miR-27a, miR-122, and miR-320, can help regulation of cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis. In this study, we investigated the association of these serum miRNAs with obesity index, such as BMI, visceral and subcutaneous fat.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 527 Japanese (219 men and 308 women) who attended a health examination in 2012. Visceral and subcutaneous fat were measured by ultrasound scan, and serum miRNAs (miR-27a, miR-122, and miR-320) were quantitatively analyzed by real time PCR. Relationships between serum microRNA and obesity index are given by Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, smoking habit, serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride, HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure.
RESULTS: Multiple regression analysis adjusted for possible confounders revealed serum miR-27a was correlated with BMI (standardized β coefficient = -0.12, p = 0.004) and subcutaneous fat (standardized β coefficient = -0.13, p = 0.004). Serum miR-122 was independently correlated with visceral fat (standardized β coefficient = 0.09, p = 0.02), but not with BMI and subcutaneous fat. On the other hand, there are not significant associations between serum miR-320 and obesity index.
CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-27a and miR-122 levels are associated with obesity index.
