Abstract
Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) in circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs), have emerged as a source of potential biomarkers for various pathophysiological conditions, including metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is the most prevalent form of diabetes in the USA, with 30 million diagnosed patients. Identifying miRNA biomarkers that can be used to assess response to glucose lowering treatments would be useful. Using patient plasma samples from a subset of the Danish Metagenomics of the Human Intestinal Tract (MetaHIT) cohort, we characterized miRNAs from whole plasma, plasma-derived EVs, and EV-depleted plasma by small RNA-sequencing to identify T2DM associated miRNAs. We identified several miRNAs that exhibited concentration changes between controls and non-metformin treated T2DM patients and we validated a subset of these by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the concentrations of many T2DM-affected miRNAs in EV (but not in whole or EV-depleted plasma) decreased to levels close to those of healthy controls following metformin treatment. Among other potential uses of these differentially expressed miRNAs, some might be useful in assessing the response to metformin in T2DM patients.
Highlights
Diabetes is a major health epidemic accounting for a significant proportion of health-care-related expenditures in many countries [1]
Elevated blood glucose is the hallmark of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which eventually leads to micro- and macro-vascular complications of major organs, among other effects
This improved approach has been used in several diabetes related studies, including the identification of circulating miRNAs associated with the progression of T2DM from prediabetic individuals [19,20]
Summary
Diabetes is a major health epidemic accounting for a significant proportion of health-care-related expenditures in many countries [1]. A modified small RNA sequencing library construction method, as well as a comprehensive data analysis pipeline, that allows for significant improvement of miRNA analysis from biological samples were developed [17,18]. This improved approach has been used in several diabetes related studies, including the identification of circulating miRNAs associated with the progression of T2DM from prediabetic individuals [19,20]. These miRNAs may serve as possible biomarkers, assessing metformin treatment response in patients with T2DM
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
