miRNA Regulation of Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in Relation to Diabetes and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

The regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism through the interaction of dietary polyphenols and polysaccharides via the gut microbiota pathway

The interaction of polyphenols-polysaccharides-gut microbiota to promote health benefits has become a hotspot and direction for precise dietary intervention strategies and foundational research in biomedicine. Both dietary polyphenols and polysaccharides possess biological activities that regulate body health. Single components, due to their inherent structure and physicochemical properties, have a low bioavailability, thus are unable to exert their optimal effects. The compound structure formed by the interaction of polyphenols and polysaccharides can enhance their functional properties, thereby more effectively promoting health benefits and preventing diseases. This review primarily focuses on the roles played by polyphenols and polysaccharides in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism, the improvement of glucose and lipid metabolism through the gut microbial pathway by polyphenols and polysaccharides, and the mechanisms by which polyphenols and polysaccharides interact to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism. A considerable amount of preliminary research has confirmed the regulatory effects of plant polyphenols and polysaccharides on glucose and lipid metabolism. However, studies on the combined effects and mechanisms of these two components are still very limited. This review aims to provide a reference for subsequent research on their interactions and changes in functional properties.

A Hypoxia-Related miRNA-mRNA Signature for Predicting the Response and Prognosis of Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Purpose

Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is commonly used in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, not all patients respond to this treatment. TACE typically leads to hypoxia in the tumor microenvironment. Therefore, we aimed to construct a prognostic model based on hypoxia-related differentially expressed microRNA (miRNAs) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to investigate the potential target mRNAs for predicting TACE response.

Methods

The hypoxia-related miRNAs (HRMs) were identified in liver cancer cells, then global test was performed to further select the miRNAs which were associated with recurrence and vascular invasion. A prognostic model was constructed based on multivariate Cox regression analysis; qRT-PCR analysis was used to validate the differentially expressed miRNAs in HCC cell lines under hypoxic condition. We further identified the putative target genes of the miRNAs and investigate the relationship between the target genes and TACE response, immune cells infiltration.

Results

We established a HRMs prognostic model for HCC patients, containing two miRNAs (miR-638, miR-501-5p), the patients with high-HRMs score showed worse survival in discovery and validation cohort; qRT-PCR analysis confirmed that these two miRNAs are up-regulated in hepatoma cells under hypoxic condition. Furthermore, four putative target genes of these two miRNAs were identified (ADH1B, CTH, FTCD, RCL1), which were significantly associated with TACE response, immune score, immunosuppressive immune cells infiltration, PDCD1 and CTLA4.

Conclusion

The HCC-HRMs signature may be utilized as a promising prognostic factor and may have implications for guiding TACE and immune therapy.

Chaihu Shugan powder influences nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in rats in remodeling microRNAome and decreasing fatty acid synthesis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Chaihu Shugan powder (CSP) plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) through a variety of biological mechanisms. However, whether the mechanism involves microRNA (miRNA) regulation remains unknown.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To investigate the effects of CSP on the miRNA expression profile of rats with NAFLD induced by high-fat diet (HFD), and to explore the mechanism of CSP in the treatment of NAFLD.

METHODS

NAFLD rat models were established by an 8-week HFD. The therapeutic effects of CSP on NAFLD were evaluated by physiological, biochemical and pathological analysis and hepatic surface microcirculation perfusion test. MicroRNA sequencing was used to study the effect of CSP on the miRNA expression profile of NAFLD rats, and the target genes of differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were predicted for further function enrichment analysis. Next, targets of CSP and NAFLD were collected by a network pharmacological approach, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis were performed for the common target genes of CSP, NAFLD and DE miRNAs, and the expression levels of key genes and proteins were verified by quantitative Real-time PCR and Western blot. Finally, a network among formula-herb-compound-miRNA-target-biological processes-disease was established to explained the complex regulation mechanism of CSP on NAFLD.

RESULTS

The results showed that CSP significantly improved liver lipid accumulation, serum lipid and transaminase levels and liver surface microcirculation disturbance in HFD-induced NAFLD rats. The intervention of CSP reversed the high expression of 15 miRNAs in liver tissues induced by HFD, including miR-34a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-20b-5p and miR-142-3p. The results of pathway and functional enrichment analysis showed that, CSP might play an anti-NAFLD role via regulating DE miRNAs related to fatty acid metabolic process. Combined with the network pharmacological analysis, it was found that the DE miRNAs might affected the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway in the treatment of NAFLD by CSP. Molecular biology experiments have conformed the decreased the gene and protein levels of acetyl-CoA carboxylase alpha (ACACA), fatty acid synthase (FASN) and other fatty acid biosynthesis related enzymes on NAFLD rats after intervention of CSP.

CONCLUSIONS

CSP can significantly reduce hepatic lipid accumulation of NAFLD rat model induced by HFD, and its mechanism may be through the action of 15 miRNAs such as miR-34a-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-20b-5p and miR-142-3p. Reduce the gene and protein expression levels of ACACA, FASN and other fatty acid biosynthesis related enzymes, thus reducing fatty acid biosynthesis. Based on an epigenetic perspective, this study explains the key anti-NAFLD mechanism of CSP via combination of microRNA sequencing and network pharmacological analysis, providing a new reference for the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Metabolic Dysfunction Fatty Liver Disease (MAFLD)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become an increasingly common disease in Western countries and has become the major cause of liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in addition to viral hepatitis in recent decades. Furthermore, studies have shown that NAFLD is inextricably linked to the development of extrahepatic diseases. However, there is currently no effective treatment to cure NAFLD. In addition, in 2020, NAFLD was renamed metabolic dysfunction fatty liver disease (MAFLD) to show that its pathogenesis is closely related to metabolic disorders. Recent studies have reported that the development of MAFLD is inextricably associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in hepatocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). Simultaneously, mitochondrial stress caused by structural and functional disorders stimulates the occurrence and accumulation of fat and lipo-toxicity in hepatocytes and HSCs. In addition, the interaction between mitochondrial dysfunction and the liver-gut axis has also become a new point during the development of MAFLD. In this review, we summarize the effects of several potential treatment strategies for MAFLD, including antioxidants, reagents, and intestinal microorganisms and metabolites.

Isovitexin alleviates hepatic fibrosis by regulating miR-21-mediated PI3K/Akt signaling and glutathione metabolic pathway: based on transcriptomics and metabolomics

BACKGROUND

Effective drugs for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis have not yet been identified. Isovitexin (IVT) is a promising hepatoprotective agent owing to its efficacy against acute liver injury. However, the role of IVT in liver fibrosis has not been reported.

PURPOSE

To explore the effect of IVT on liver fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

A mouse model of liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and two types of hepatic stellate cell models induced by platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) were established to evaluate the effect of IVT on hepatic fibrosis. Transcriptomics and metabolomics were used to predict the underlying targets of IVT and were validated by a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments. Exploration of miRNA and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications was also carried out to detect the key upstream targets of the above targets.

RESULTS

IVT reduced collagen deposition and hepatic stellate cell activation to alleviate liver fibrosis. The transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses showed that phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) signaling and the glutathione (GSH) metabolic pathway may be the main regulatory processes of IVT in hepatic fibrosis. Both the in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed the inhibitory effect of IVT on the PTEN-PI3K-Akt-mTOR axis and activation of the GSH metabolic pathway. A miR-21 mimic inhibited the effects of IVT on these two pathways, suggesting that miR-21 is the hub for IVT regulation of PI3K-Akt signaling and the GSH metabolic pathway. IVT also increased pri-miR-21 level and reduced the m6A enrichment of pri-miR-21, demonstrating that IVT may regulate pri-miR-21 through m6A modification, thereby affecting the maturation of miR-21.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to propose a protective effect of IVT against liver fibrosis. The mechanism of IVT against hepatic fibrosis is based on the regulation of miR-21, targeting PTEN-Akt signaling and the GSH metabolic pathway, which is also a novel discovery.

Insight into the Inter-Organ Crosstalk and Prognostic Role of Liver-Derived MicroRNAs in Metabolic Disease Progression

Dysfunctional hepatic metabolism has been linked to numerous diseases, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, the most common chronic liver disorder worldwide, which can progress to hepatic fibrosis, and is closely associated with insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases. In addition, the liver secretes a wide array of metabolites, biomolecules, and microRNAs (miRNAs) and many of these secreted factors exert significant effects on metabolic processes both in the liver and in peripheral tissues. In this review, we summarize the involvement of liver-derived miRNAs in biological processes with an emphasis on delineating the communication between the liver and other tissues associated with metabolic disease progression. Furthermore, the review identifies the primary molecular targets by which miRNAs act. These consolidated findings from numerous studies provide insight into the underlying mechanism of various metabolic disease progression and suggest the possibility of using circulatory miRNAs as prognostic predictors and therapeutic targets for improving clinical intervention strategies.

The role of miR-155 on liver diseases by modulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis

The liver is a well-known metabolic organ that can be susceptible to external stimuli to affect its normal physiological function. Worldwide, the morbidity and mortality of liver diseases are skyrocketing every year, causing human health crises. Recently, new approaches such as biotechnology have been introduced to achieve optimal treatment and prognostic management of liver diseases. microRNAs (miRNAs), a kind of small non-coding RNA molecule, have the advantages of biodiversity, wide distribution and numerous members. Among these miRNAs, miR-155 is an important regulator of inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis. In this review, the PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched from 2009 to 2022. After inclusion and exclusion, 64 articles were selected for a systematic review to comprehensively summarize the mechanisms of miR-155 regulating inflammation, immunity and tumorigenesis in liver diseases and liver cancer, covering in vitro, in vivo and clinical studies. Existing preclinical studies and clinical trials have listed that the up-regulation and down-regulation of miR-155 are significant in alcoholic liver injury, viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, infectious liver injury, liver transplantation and liver cancer. The immune and inflammation effects of miR-155 are manifested by regulating macrophage polarization, NK cell killing, Th17 cell and Th1/Th2 cell differentiation. Additionally, miR-155 is also committed to participating in the cell cycle, invasion and metastasis, immune escape and other processes to promote and intensify the development of liver cancer. In conclusion, miR-155 is not only a biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of liver diseases, but also plays a therapeutic role via regulating immunity, inflammation and tumorigenesis.

Trends in insulin resistance: insights into mechanisms and therapeutic strategy

The centenary of insulin discovery represents an important opportunity to transform diabetes from a fatal diagnosis into a medically manageable chronic condition. Insulin is a key peptide hormone and mediates the systemic glucose metabolism in different tissues. Insulin resistance (IR) is a disordered biological response for insulin stimulation through the disruption of different molecular pathways in target tissues. Acquired conditions and genetic factors have been implicated in IR. Recent genetic and biochemical studies suggest that the dysregulated metabolic mediators released by adipose tissue including adipokines, cytokines, chemokines, excess lipids and toxic lipid metabolites promote IR in other tissues. IR is associated with several groups of abnormal syndromes that include obesity, diabetes, metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), cardiovascular disease, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and other abnormalities. Although no medication is specifically approved to treat IR, we summarized the lifestyle changes and pharmacological medications that have been used as efficient intervention to improve insulin sensitivity. Ultimately, the systematic discussion of complex mechanism will help to identify potential new targets and treat the closely associated metabolic syndrome of IR.

Plasma miR-193b-3p Is Elevated in Type 2 Diabetes and Could Impair Glucose Metabolism

OBJECTIVE

To explore differentially expressed miRNAs in type 2 diabetes and their potential cellular functions.

METHODS

We screened plasma miRNAs by miRNA array analysis and validated them by TaqMan real-time PCR in 113 newly diagnosed, untreated type 2 diabetes cases and 113 healthy controls. Low-abundance plasma proteins encoded by miR-193b-3p target genes were explored in this study population. We further investigated the potential cellular functions of the differentially expressed miRNAs in HepG2 cells.

RESULTS

miR-193b-3p was differentially expressed in type 2 diabetes cases compared to healthy controls (fold change = 2.01, P = 0.006). Plasma levels of triosephosphate isomerase (TPI1, a protein involved in the glycolytic pathway) decreased in type 2 diabetes cases (fold change = 1.37, P = 0.002). The effect of miR-193b-3p on TPI1 was verified by transfection of miR-193b-3p into HepG2 cells. miR-193b-3p inhibited the expression of YWHAZ/14-3-3ζ in the PI3K-AKT pathway, subsequently altering the expression of FOXO1 and PCK1. After transfection, cells were incubated in glucose-free medium for another 4 h. Glucose levels in medium from cells with elevated miR-193b-3p levels were significantly higher than those in medium from negative control cells (P = 0.016). In addition, elevated miR-193b-3p reduced glucose uptake by inhibiting insulin receptor (IR) and GLUT2 expression.

CONCLUSION

Plasma miR-193b-3p levels increased in type 2 diabetes cases, and TPI1 levels decreased in both plasma and HepG2 cells with increased miR-193b-3p levels, while extracellular lactate levels did not significantly changed. Moreover, miR-193b-3p may affect glucose metabolism by directly targeting YWHAZ/14-3-3ζ and upregulating the transcription factor FOXO1 downstream of the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Nanoparticles prepared from pterostilbene reduce blood glucose and improve diabetes complications

BACKGROUND

Diabetes complications are the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. The common complications are decline in antioxidant capacity and the onset of micro-inflammation syndrome. At present, glucose-responsive nanoparticles are widely used, as they can release insulin-loaded ultrafine particles intelligently and effectively reduce blood sugar. However, the toxicology of this method has not been fully elucidated. The plant extracts of pterostilbene (PTE) have a wide range of biological applications, such as antioxidation and inflammatory response improvement. Therefore, we have proposed new ideas for the cross application of plant extracts and biomaterials, especially as part of a hypoglycaemic nano-drug delivery system.

RESULTS

Based on the PTE, we successfully synthesised poly(3-acrylamidophenyl boric acid-b-pterostilbene) (p[AAPBA-b-PTE]) nanoparticles (NPs). The NPs were round in shape and ranged between 150 and 250 nm in size. The NPs possessed good pH and glucose sensitivity. The entrapment efficiency (EE) of insulin-loaded NPs was approximately 56%, and the drug loading (LC) capacity was approximately 13%. The highest release of insulin was 70%, and the highest release of PTE was 85%. Meanwhile, the insulin could undergo self-regulation according to changes in the glucose concentration, thus achieving an effective, sustained release. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments showed that the NPs were safe and nontoxic. Under normal physiological conditions, NPs were completely degraded within 40 days. Fourteen days after mice were injected with p(AAPBA-b-PTE) NPs, there were no obvious abnormalities in the heart, liver, spleen, lung, or kidney. Moreover, NPs effectively reduced blood glucose, improved antioxidant capacity and reversed micro-inflammation in mice.

CONCLUSIONS

p(AAPBA-b-PTE) NPs were successfully prepared using PTE as raw material and effectively reduced blood glucose, improved antioxidant capacity and reduced the inflammatory response. This novel preparation can enable new combinations of plant extracts and biomaterials to adiministered through NPs or other dosage forms in order to regulate and treat diseases.

Roles of microRNAs in carbohydrate and lipid metabolism disorders and their therapeutic potential

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small (∼21 nucleotides), endogenous, non-coding RNA molecules implicated in the post-transcriptional gene regulation performed through target mRNA cleavage or translational inhibition. In recent years, several investigations have demonstrated that miRNAs are involved in regulating both carbohydrate and lipid homeostasis in humans and other organisms. Moreover, it has been observed that the dysregulation of these metabolism-related miRNAs leads to the development of several metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, nonalcoholic fatty liver, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. Hence, in this current review, with the aim to impulse the research arena of the micro-transcriptome implications in vital metabolic pathways as well as to highlight the remarkable potential of miRNAs as therapeutic targets for metabolic disorders in humans, we provide an overview of the regulatory roles of metabolism-associated miRNAs in humans and murine models.

Circulating microRNAs 34a, 122, and 192 are linked to obesity-associated inflammation and metabolic disease in pediatric patients

BACKGROUND

Obesity-associated chronic low-grade inflammation leads to dysregulation of central lipid and glucose metabolism pathways leading to metabolic disorders. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to control regulators of metabolic homeostasis. We aimed to assess the relationship of circulating miRNAs with inflammatory modulators and metabolic disorders in pediatric obesity.

METHODS

From a pediatric cohort with severe obesity (n = 109), clinically thoroughly characterized including diverse routine blood parameters, oral glucose tolerance test, and liver MRI, a panel of 16 circulating miRNAs was quantified using qRT-PCR. Additionally, markers of inflammation TNFα, IL1 receptor antagonist, procalcitonin, CRP, and IL-6 were measured.

RESULTS

Markers of obesity-associated inflammation, TNFα, IL-1Ra, and procalcitonin, all significantly correlated with concentrations of miRNAs 122 and 192. Concentrations of these miRNAs negatively correlated with serum adiponectin and were among those strongly linked to parameters of dyslipidemia and liver function. Moreover, miRNA122 concentrations correlated with HOMA-IR. Several miRNA levels including miRNAs 34a, 93, 122, and 192 were statistically significantly differing between individuals with prediabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, metabolic syndrome, or nonalcoholic fatty liver disease compared to the respective controls. Additionally, miRNA 192 was significantly elevated in metabolically unhealthy obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

A miRNA pattern associated with obesity-associated inflammation and comorbidities may be used to distinguish metabolically healthy from unhealthy pediatric patients with obesity. Moreover, these changes in epigenetic regulation could potentially be involved in the etiology of obesity-linked metabolic disease in children and adolescents.

The Combination of Berberine, Tocotrienols and Coffee Extracts Improves Metabolic Profile and Liver Steatosis by the Modulation of Gut Microbiota and Hepatic miR-122 and miR-34a Expression in Mice

Non-alcoholic-fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is spreading worldwide. Specific drugs for NAFLD are not yet available, even if some plant extracts show beneficial properties. We evaluated the effects of a combination, composed by Berberis Aristata, Elaeis Guineensis and Coffea Canephora, on the development of obesity, hepatic steatosis, insulin-resistance and on the modulation of hepatic microRNAs (miRNA) levels and microbiota composition in a mouse model of liver damage. C57BL/6 mice were fed with standard diet (SD, n = 8), high fat diet (HFD, n = 8) or HFD plus plant extracts (HFD+E, n = 8) for 24 weeks. Liver expression of miR-122 and miR-34a was evaluated by quantitativePCR. Microbiome analysis was performed on cecal content by 16S rRNA sequencing. HFD+E-mice showed lower body weight (p < 0.01), amelioration of insulin-sensitivity (p = 0.021), total cholesterol (p = 0.014), low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol (p < 0.001), alanine-aminotransferase (p = 0.038) and hepatic steatosis compared to HFD-mice. While a decrease of hepatic miR-122 and increase of miR-34a were observed in HFD-mice compared to SD-mice, both these miRNAs had similar levels to SD-mice in HFD+E-mice. Moreover, a different microbial composition was found between SD- and HFD-mice, with a partial rescue of dysbiosis in HFD+E-mice. This combination of plant extracts had a beneficial effect on HFD-induced NAFLD by the modulation of miR-122, miR-34a and gut microbiome.

The role of miR-320 in glucose and lipid metabolism disorder-associated diseases

Glucose and lipids are important nutrients that provide the majority of energy for each organ to maintain homeostasis of the body. With the continuous improvement in living standards, the incidence of metabolic disorder-associated diseases, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and atherosclerosis, is increasing worldwide. Among them, diabetes, which could be induced by both glucose and lipid metabolic disorders, is one of the five diseases with the highest incidence and mortality worldwide. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and target-organ damage are still not fully defined. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, single-stranded RNAs, which usually affect their target mRNAs in the cytoplasm by post-transcriptional regulation. Previously, we have found that miR-320 contributed to glucose and lipid metabolism via different signaling pathways. Most importantly, we identified that nuclear miR-320 mediated diabetes-induced cardiac dysfunction by activating the transcription of fatty acid metabolic genes to cause lipotoxicity in the heart. Here, we reviewed the roles of miR-320 in glucose and lipid metabolism and target-organ damage.

MiR-22 modulates the expression of lipogenesis-related genes and promotes hepatic steatosis in vitro

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly correlated with obesity, and lifestyle changes to reduce weight remain the main therapeutic approach. The noncoding RNA miR-22 has previously been reported to be highly abundant in the sera of NAFLD patients. In addition, miR-22 directly targets peroxisome proliferative-activated receptor, Pgc-1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α, and sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), which are important factors involved in fatty acid metabolism. Given that miR-22 directly targets genes involved in the control of metabolism and obesity, we investigated whether miR-22 contributes to metabolic alterations induced by obesity. We observed increased expression of miR-22, decreased expression of Sirt1, and alterations in the expression of adipogenesis-related genes in a mouse model of obesity and a human hepatocyte cell line. We identified that miR-22 and the 3'-UTR of Sirt1 are complementary. Mutation of the complementary fragment abolishes the ability of miR-22 to regulate the Sirt1 gene. Furthermore, treatment of hepatic steatosis cells with miR-22 mimics or inhibitors showed that miR-22 can promote hepatic steatosis, and miR-22 inhibitors effectively reduced triglyceride levels without affecting cell activity. Finally, we validated that miR-22 has similar effects on downstream lipid metabolism-related genes. Our data reveal the pathways and mechanisms through which miR-22 regulates lipid metabolism and suggest that miR-22 inhibitors may have potential as candidate drugs for NAFLD and obesity.

Protective effect of the isolated oligosaccharide from Rosa canina in STZ-treated cells through modulation of the autophagy pathway

Isolation of active components of therapeutic plants and discovering molecular mechanisms play a pivotal role in therapy of diabetes. This study aimed to determine the antidiabetic mechanism of an oligosaccharide isolated from Rosa canina (RCO) by measuring the expression of some miRNAs and their targets involved in autophagy. RCO was extracted and characterized by using HPLC and spectroscopic methods. Rin-5F cells were treated with STZ and RCO alone and in combination. The viability of the cells and the expression of miR-21, miR-22, Akt, ATG5, Beclin1, LC3A, and LC3B were analyzed using MTT assay, and qRT-PCR, respectively. Oligosaccharide fraction could improve the viability of RCO-treated cells as compared to STZ-treated cells. Further, the expression of autophagy markers was increased in RCO-treated diabetic cells compared to STZ-treated cells. The results indicated that the antidiabetic effects of the oligosaccharide components of R. canina seem to be mediated by modulation of autophagy pathway. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Given effectiveness of an oligosaccharide fraction isolated from Rosa canina in management of diabetes in STZ-induced diabetic rats, we have intention to scrutinize its molecular mechanism as modulation of autophagy pathway in STZ-treated Rin-5F cells. It is expected that the results paved the way to speculate novel antidiabetic strategies.

Gan-Jiang-Ling-Zhu decoction alleviates hepatic steatosis in rats by the miR-138-5p/CPT1B axis

BACKGROUND

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a commonly-encountered chronic liver disease which lacks verified pharmacological interventions. Gan-Jiang-Ling-Zhu decoction (GJLZ) is a classic formula utilized in clinical practice. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of GJLZ in NAFLD and explore the possible underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

Twenty-four rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal group, fed with chow diet for 8 weeks; model group, fed with high fat diet for 8 weeks; and GJLZ group, initially fed HFD for 4 weeks, and then administered the GJLZ decoction for 4 weeks by oral gavage while continuously feeding HFD. Rats were sacrificed after the intervention, and liver tissues and blood samples were harvested. Liver steatosis was detected by HE and Oil Red O staining. Body weight and liver index were analyzed. Liver triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), serum almandine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and nonesterified fatty acid (NEFA) were assayed using commercial kits. Differentially expressed genes were identified by RNA-sequencing and verified using real-time PCR (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Whole miRNAs were detected by RNA-sequence analysis, and mRNA-targeted miRNAs were verified by RT-PCR. The miRNA-mRNA regulation pattern was confirmed using the dual-luciferase reporter assay.

RESULTS

Treatment with GJLZ significantly improved hepatic steatosis and inflammation, reduced liver index and liver TG content, and also significantly reduced serum ALT and AST levels. Based on the results of RNA-sequence analysis, five differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway were recognized. RT-PCR confirmed that carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1b (CPT1B) expression was significantly regulated by GJLZ treatment. GJLZ decoction intervention also increased significantly hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex subunit alpha (HADHA) expression. Next, miRNA profiling and screening were performed based on CPT1B alteration. Rno-miR-138-5p likely responded to GJLZ intervention, and rno-miR-138-5p inhibitor increased CPT1B expression while rno-miR-138-5p mimic reduced CPT1B expression. When CPT1B mutated, miR-138-5p mimic and inhibitor could not regulate the luciferase activity of CPT1B.

CONCLUSIONS

GJLZ is an effective formula for NAFLD management, and its possible mechanism of action involves the regulation of CPT1B expression via rno-miR-138-5p.

MiRNAs as biomarkers of phenotype in neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy

BACKGROUND

Neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy (NLSDM) is a rare lipid metabolism disorder. In this study, we evaluated some circulating miRNAs levels in serum samples and the MRI of three affected siblings.

METHODS

Three members of one NLSDM family were identified: two brothers and one sister. Muscles of lower and right upper extremities were studied by MRI. Expression profile of miRNAs, obtained from serum samples, was detected using qRT-PCR.

RESULTS

Two brothers presented with progressive skeletal myopathy, while the sister had severe hepatosteatosis and diabetes. NLSDM patients showed a significant increase of muscle-specific miRNAs expression compared with healthy subjects. We found a correlation between hepatic damage and elevation of miRNAs expression profile of liver origin.

CONCLUSIONS

The dysregulation of miRNAs might represent an indicator of skeletal and hepatic damage and it might be useful to monitor the progression of NLSDM.

Identification of prognostic markers for hepatocellular carcinoma based on miRNA expression profiles

AIMS

The aim of the study was to identify key miRNAs related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and then to explore their potential function and clinical significance.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The miRNA expression profiles of 387 HCC and 62 normal liver tissues were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases. GEO2R tool and edgeR package in R/Bioconductor were used to screen out HCC-related miRNAs. VennDiagram package was used to identify key miRNAs related to HCC. The miRWalk tool and multiple R packages, such as pROC and survival, were used to explore potential function and clinical significance of these key miRNAs.

KEY FINDINGS

A total of 17 and 300 HCC-related human miRNAs were identified in GEO dataset and TCGA, respectively. Thereinto seven miRNAs including hsa-miR-199a-3p, hsa-miR-199b-3p, hsa-miR-139-5p, hsa-miR-139-3p, hsa-miR-424-3p, hsa-miR-1269b and hsa-miR-1269a were key miRNAs related to HCC. Functional enrichment analysis showed that these key miRNAs were involved in multiple biological processes, such as telomere maintenance via telomerase, protein sumoylation, histone mRNA metabolic process and angiotensin maturation. Cox regression analysis indicated that hsa-miR-139-5p expression was associated with the prognosis of HCC patients. ROC curve analysis suggested that survival prediction model developed based on tumor stage and hsa-miR-139-5p exhibited good performance in predicting 3-year overall survival of HCC patients.

SIGNIFICANCE

The present study identified several HCC-related miRNAs, which might serve as new diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for HCC. In addition, hsa-miR-139-5p might act as a promising prognostic indicator for HCC patients.