Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Recent studies claim that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Objective: To study miRNA expression in patients with obesity, determine their association with CAD.

Methods: MiRNAs were detected in peripheral blood. 66 patients with BMI 30.0–39.9 kg/m² were divided into 3 groups: 1st – with CAD and T2DM, 2nd – with T2DM and excluded CAD, 3rd – with obesity and excluded CAD and T2DM. For miRNA profiling, the RT-qPCR assay was performed.

Results: Expression of miRNA-21 (P=0.0004), miRNA-26a (P=0.003), miRNA-33a (P=0.009) was different in the studied groups, while miRNA-1 (P=0.065) did not show significant difference. MiRNA-21 correlated with HbA1c (r=–0.360; P=0.001); cholesterol (r=–0.222; P=0.048) and with the thickness of interventricular septum (r=–0.397; P=0.0002) and posterior wall of the left ventricle (r=–0.382; P=0.0005). In the 2nd group miRNA-21 correlated with cholesterol (r=–0.425; P=0.048) and HDL (r=–0.498; P=0.018). MiRNA-1 correlated with cholesterol (r=0.255; P=0.023); LDL-cholesterol (r=0.292; P=0.009); HbA1c (r=0.297; P=0.007) and with the thickness of interventricular septum (r=0.338; P=0.002) and posterior wall of the left ventricle (r=0.409; P=0.009); and ejection fraction (r=–0.241; P=0.032). MiRNA-33a correlated with brachiocephalic arteries stenosis (r=0.453; P=0.039). In the 3rd group, miRNA-33a correlated with cholesterol (r=–0.419; P=0.046). In the 1st group miRNA-26a correlated with LDL-cholesterol (r=0.541; P=0.011) and waist circumference (r=0.481; P=0.027).

Conclusions: Expression of miRNA-21, miRNA-26a and miRNA-33a differ in patients with obesity. MiRNA-1, miRNA-21 and miRNA33a were associated with heart remodeling processes and may determine the severity of CAD.