Childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and oxidative stress: microRNAs go on stage

Abstract

The incidence of childhood obesity and metabolic syndrome has grown notably in the last years, becoming major public health burdens in developed countries. Nowadays, oxidative stress is well-recognized to be closely associated with the onset and progression of several obesity-related complications within the framework of a complex crosstalk involving other intertwined pathogenic events, such as inflammation, insulin disturbances, and dyslipidemia. Thus, understanding the molecular basis behind these oxidative dysregulations could provide new approaches for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of childhood obesity and associated disorders. In this respect, the transcriptomic characterization of miRNAs bares great potential because of their involvement in post-transcriptional modulation of genetic expression. Herein, we provide a comprehensive literature revision gathering state-of-the-art research into the association between childhood obesity, metabolic syndrome, and miRNAs. We put special emphasis on the potential role of miRNAs in modulating obesity-related pathogenic events, with particular focus on oxidative stress.

Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Phytochemicals for the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review

“…In IBD, microRNAs are implicated in intestinal barrier function regulation as well as inflammatory pathways such as the NF-kB, the signal transducer and activator of the transcription (STAT)/IL-6 and Th17 signaling pathway. Phytochemicals have been shown to modulate microRNA expression [110,111]. Mastiha is a plant extract with anti-inflammatory and lipid lowering properties [112].…”