Plasma microRNA expression and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers, nutritional status and dietary pattern in elderly people participating in a population-based study (ISA capital)

Abstract

The development of chronic Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) is closely related to dysregulation in the expression of microRNA, small molecules encoding single-stranded RNA involved in the regulation of several intracellular pathways. In addition, microRNA expression can also be modulated by different environmental factors, including dietary patterns, which represent a promising approach in reducing the risk of NCD. There are no population-based studies that relate the expression of microRNA in plasma, biomarkers related to cardiometabolic risk and nutritional status in the Brazilian population. In this context, the objective of this project is to verify the plasmatic expression of microRNA and its relationship with inflammatory biomarkers, nutritional status and dietary pattern of elderly participants in the ISA Capital population-based study. For this, a cross-sectional study will be developed, in which 200 elderly individuals participating in ISA Capital will be evaluated, which will be assessed in relation to socioeconomic, demographic, lifestyle and health conditions (through a characterization questionnaire); food consumption (24-hour food recall); anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumference) and systemic blood pressure; and glycemic biomarkers (fasting glucose and plasma insulin), lipids (triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and VLDL-cholesterol) and inflammatory (IL-1², IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor alpha, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecules 1 and vascular 1, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, adiponectin and leptin). Moreover, individuals will be evaluated for plasma microRNA expression (miR-16, miR-33, miR-107, miR-122, miR-130b, miR-150, miR-152, miR-221, miR-222, miR-142-3p). The results will be expressed in measures of central tendency and dispersion or as a percentage and 95% confidence interval. The distribution of data will be verified using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and the subsequent tests chosen accordingly. The relationship between the variables of interest will be verified. Values of p <0.05 will be considered statistically significant. This project seeks to expand the use of plasma microRNA in conjunction with other biomarkers for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of NCD. (AU)