Association of circulating miR-20a, miR-27a, and miR-126 with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in general population

Yoshitaka Ando,Nobuyuki Hamajima,Mirai Yamazaki,Ryoji Teradaira,Hiroya Yamada,Keiko Sugimoto,Hiroaki Ishikawa,Genki Mizuno,Koji Suzuki,Naohiro Ichino,Ryosuke Fujii,Shuji Hashimoto,Koji Ohashi,Yoshiji Ohta,Keisuke Osakabe,Eiji Munetsuna

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-55076-z

Abstract

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes mellitus. Recently, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as useful disease biomarkers. We examined whether circulating miRNAs, such as miR-20a, miR-27a, and miR-126, were useful biomarkers for NAFLD. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 527 subjects aged 39 years or older who had undergone a health examination in the Yakumo Study. Of the residents, 92 were diagnosed with NAFLD using a registered medical sonographer. Serum miR-20a, miR-27a and miR-126 levels were measured by quantitative real-time PCR. We then calculated the odds ratios for serum miRNA level changes according to the severity of NAFLD using normal liver status as the reference group. Serum levels of miR-20a and 27a, but not miR-126, were significantly lower in NAFLD subjects than normal subjects. Serum miR-20a and miR-27a levels were significantly lower in both male and female severe NAFLD subjects. Logistic regression analysis showed a significant relationship between low circulating miR-20a and 27a levels and severe NAFLD. Down-regulated circulating miR-20a and 27a levels were significantly associated with severe NAFLD in the general population. Circulating miR-20a and miR-27a may be useful biomarkers for severe NAFLD.

Highlights

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes mellitus
Study subjects were excluded based on the following criteria: subjects who declined to participate in this research, missing dates for analysis, technical issues with sample vials, and a history of cancer or cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
The body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), serum glucose, total protein, albumin, triglyceride (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), AST, ALT, and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were significantly higher in NAFLD subjects than in normal subjects

Summary

Introduction

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely associated with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type II diabetes mellitus. Down-regulated circulating miR-20a and 27a levels were significantly associated with severe NAFLD in the general population. MiR-20a regulates the proliferation and migration of hepatic cells[21] These miRNAs can be detected from serum samples and have been proposed as attractive biomarkers. Whereas NAFLD has been implicated in MetS-associated phenotypes, it is still unknown whether NAFLD patients present variations in their circulating miRNAs. Given that miRNAs can be detected from serum samples, miR-20a, miR-27a and miR-126 may be reflective of hepatic physiological conditions

Methods

Results

Conclusion