Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT1016

Objective: Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNAs) may serve as novel biomarkers for predicting insulin resistance-related conditions, such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), in both adults and children. This study aimed to compare serum exosomal miRNA levels among obese children, children with NAFLD, and healthy controls in a Korean pediatric population. Additionally, the study sought to analyze the association between these miRNAs and markers of insulin resistance.

Methods: A total of 30 prepubertal children were included in this study, with 10 children in each group: obesity (n = 10), NAFLD (n = 10), and healthy controls (n = 10). Each group consisted of 5 males and 5 females. Serum exosomal miRNA was analyzed using next-generation sequencing (NGS). Statistical analyses were performed to compare miRNA expression levels between the groups and to assess correlations with clinical parameters and insulin resistance markers, including the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG), TyG index adjusted for ALT (TyG_ALT), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Results: All participants were prepubertal, with average ages of 8. 7 years in the NAFLD group, 8. 6 years in the obesity group, and 8. 3 years in the control group, with no significant age differences between the groups. MicroRNAs 34a-5p, 122-5p, 885-5p, and 885-3p were found to be significantly upregulated in the NAFLD group compared to both the obesity and control groups. These miRNAs were positively correlated with AST and uric acid levels. Additionally, miRNAs 122-5p, 885-5p, and 885-3p showed positive correlations with ALT and the TyG_ALT index. In contrast, miRNAs 570-3p and 32-3p were downregulated in the NAFLD group compared to both the obesity and control groups and negatively correlated with AST, ALT, and the TyG_ALT index.

Conclusion: Specific miRNAs, particularly 34a-5p, 122-5p, 885-5p, 885-3p, 570-3p, and 32-3p, exhibit differential expression in children with NAFLD compared to obese and healthy controls. These miRNAs are closely associated with liver function and insulin resistance markers, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for NAFLD and related metabolic disturbances in pediatric patients.