Ingestion of orange juice prevents hyperglycemia and increases plasma miR-375 expression

Abstract

The intake of high-fat, high-carbohydrate (HFHC) meals is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. There is evidence that the association of orange juice to a HFHC meal can modulate the expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) linked to pancreatic β-cell function such as miR-375. We evaluated the effect of a commercial orange juice intake with HFHC meal on plasma miRNAs expression in twelve healthy subjects in a crossover design study. Subjects ingested water, orange juice, or an isocaloric beverage along with a 1037kcal HFHC meal. Blood glucose and miRNAs were evaluated at baseline and 1, 3, and 5h after the intake. The area under the curve (AUC) for glycemia after ingestion of HFHC+orange juice did not differ from ingestion of HPHC+glucose or HFHC+water. However, the AUC was higher in HFHC meal+glucose compared to HFHC meal+water (p=0.034). Glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly higher in HFHC meal+glucose group after 1h, when compared with other groups and times (p<0.001). There was an increase in plasma miR-375 expression after 3h of ingestion of HFHC+orange juice versus water (p=0.026), and a decrease in plasma miR-205-5p expression after HFHC meal+glucose versus water (p=0.023). A single HFHC meal+orange juice modulated plasma miR-375 expression, which is a biomarker of pancreatic β-cell function, and contributed to preventing hyperglycemia.