MiRNA-based “fitness score” to assess the individual response to diet, metabolism, and exercise

Abstract

Background Regular, especially sustained exercise plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases. Some of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms behind the adaptive response to physical activity are still unclear, but recent findings suggest a possible role of epigenetic mechanisms, especially miRNAs, in the progression and management of exercise-related changes. Due to the combination of the analysis of epigenetic biomarkers (miRNAs), the intake of food and supplements, and genetic dispositions, a “fitness score” was evaluated to assess the individual response to nutrition, exercise, and metabolic influence. Methods In response to a 12-week sports intervention, we analyzed genetic and epigenetic biomarkers in capillary blood from 61 sedentary, healthy participants (66.1% females, 33.9% males, mean age 33 years), including Line-1 methylation, three SNPs, and ten miRNAs using HRM and qPCR analysis. These biomarkers were also analyzed in a healthy, age- and sex-matched control group (n, 20) without intervention. Food frequency intake, including dietary supplement intake, and general health questionnaires were surveyed under the supervision of trained staff. Results Exercise training decreased the expression of miR-20a-5p, −22-5p, and −505-3p (p < 0.02) and improved the “fitness score,” which estimates eight different lifestyle factors to assess, nutrition, inflammation, cardiovascular fitness, injury risk, regeneration, muscle and hydration status, as well as stress level. In addition, we were able to determine correlations between individual miRNAs, miR-20a-5p, −22-5p, and −101-3p (p < 0.04), and the genetic predisposition for endurance and/or strength and obesity risk ( ACE, ACTN3 , and FTO ), as well as between miRNAs and the body composition (p < 0.05). MiR-19b-3p and −101-3p correlated with the intake of B vitamins. Further, miR-19b-3p correlated with magnesium and miR-378a-3p with iron intake (p < 0.05). Conclusions In summary, our results indicate that a combined analysis of several biomarkers (miRNAs) can provide information about an individual’s training adaptions/fitness, body composition, nutritional needs, and possible recovery. In contrast to most studies using muscle biopsies, we were able to show that these biomarkers can also be measured using a minimally invasive method.

Nutritional supplements for athletes and personalization; a short review

“…Extracellular vehicles (EVs) transport packaged protein and nucleic acids throughout the body. Recent data can provide some explanation for previous observations of our group [1], which suggested similar expression patterns of metabolic enzymes in muscle biopsies and white blood cells [63].…”

“…universal understanding of our unique responses to food, based upon individual characteristics of genetics, epigenetics, microbiota, and metabolomics may contribute to a better understanding of the appropriate and safe use of food additives. Recent studies demonstrate that epigenetic-based biomarkers, such as miRNAs, make a significant contribution to personalized strategies, such as the ability to reflect an increased need for specific vitamins and minerals [1].…”

Integrated Multimodal Omics and Dietary Approaches for the Management of Neurodegeneration

“…It is of note that sex bias and differences should be considered. In fact, an important recent report clearly indicates the pivotal role of epigenetics on health maintenance that is associated with the health status, and also to the sex difference of the patient [ 56 , 57 ]. Men were more frequently classified as hippocampal sparing AD, whereas limbic predominant AD was more prevalent in women [ 58 ].…”

Lifestyle-Driven Variations in Nutrimiromic MicroRNA Expression Patterns across and beyond Genders

“…Considering their essential biological role, it comes as no surprise that the expression of miRNAs is rigorously regulated and an aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with a wide range of diseases including cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, obesity, and related conditions, as well as autoimmune processes [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. However, a number of investigations have substantiated the capacity of miRNAs to undergo modulation in response to dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 ]. Given these reasons, miRNAs are emerging as promising sensitive prognostic, diagnostic, and theragnostic biomarkers reflecting the health status of the body, especially those found circulating in various bodily fluids such as human plasma [ 18 , 28 ].…”