A strong positive correlation between TL and mtDNAcn was found in the study population; age, sex, and BMI seemed to have no effect on this correlation.

Background Globally, type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent in individuals of Latino ancestry. The reasons underlying this high prevalence are not well understood, but both genetic and lifestyle factors are contributors. Circulating microRNAs are readily detectable in blood and are promising biomarkers to characterize biological responses (i.e., changes in gene expression) to lifestyle factors. Prior studies identified relationships between circulating microRNAs and risk for type 2 diabetes, but Latinos have largely been under-represented in these study samples. Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to assess for differences in expression levels of three candidate microRNAs (miR-126, miR-146, miR-15) between individuals who had prediabetes compared to normal glycemic status and between individuals who self-identified with Latino ancestry in the United States (US) and native Mexicans living in or near Leon, Mexico. Methods This was a cross-sectional study that included 45 Mexicans and 21 Latino participants from the US. Prediabetes was defined as fasting glucose 100–125 mg/dL or 2-h post-glucose challenge between 140 and 199 mg/dL. Expression levels of microRNAs from plasma were measured by qPCR. Linear and logistic regression models were used to assess relationships between individual microRNAs and glycemic status or geographic site. Results None of the three microRNAs was associated with risk for type 2 diabetes. MiR-146a and miR-15 were significantly lower in the study sample from Mexico compared to the US. There was a significant interaction between miR-146a and BMI associated with fasting blood glucose. Conclusions/interpretation This study did not replicate in Latinos prior observations from other racial groups of associations between miR-126, miR-146a, and miR-15 and risk for type 2 diabetes. Future studies should consider other microRNAs related to different biological pathways as possible biomarkers for type 2 diabetes in Latinos.

No abstract

IntroductionNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes a spectrum of histological findings ranging from simple steatosis (SS) to non‐alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Although often considered the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome (MS), longitudinal studies suggest that NAFLD precedes MS. To date, liver biopsy is the most accurate method to differentiate between SS and NASH. However, recent studies indicate an association between mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number and NAFLD severity in liver biopsies. If a similar association exists in peripheral blood, mtDNA copy number could represent a non‐invasive alternative for differentiating NAFLD disease stages.Given the above, we analyzed whether mtDNA copy number differs in individuals discordant for NAFLD and MS. We also probed for correlations between liver and peripheral blood mtDNA copy number, in addition to associations between NAFLD and mtDNA copy number.ObjectiveTo analyze whether mtDNA copy number is a useful blood‐based marker of NAFLD severity.Materials and methodsCohort = 73 peripheral blood samples and liver biopsies obtained from patients that were operated for gallstones; individuals were separated into 4 groups: controls (n = 27), NAFLD (n = 14), MS (n = 9) and MS + NAFLD (n = 23). NAFLD severity was determined according to the parameters described by Kleiner; mtDNA copy number was determined by semiquantitative PCR.ResultsWe found no significant differences in mtDNA copy number across the four groups analyzed (i.e. control, NAFLD, MS, MS+NAFLD). However, we did find an association between mtDNA copy number and NAFLD severity. In particular, we found that a significant increase in mtDNA copy number in SS relative to control samples, while mtDNA copy number was significantly reduced in NASH relative to SS.ConclusionAkin to the previously published data of mtDNA copy number in liver biopsies of individuals with NAFLD, we uncovered a dynamic relationship between mtDNA copy number and NAFLD severity in peripheral blood samples. This suggests that mtDNA copy number may be a promising blood‐based biomarker for differentiating between SS and NASH. To address this issue, we are currently probing for correlations between liver and peripheral blood mtDNA copy number.Support or Funding InformationMexican National Council for Science and Technology (CONACyT).This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

No abstract