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Exploring Serum Mir-33B As a Novel Diagnostic Marker for Hypercholesterolemia and Obesity: Insights From a Pilot Case-Control Study Publisher Pubmed



Masoumiardakani Y1 ; Eghbalian M2 ; Fallah H3 ; Jafari A4 ; Shahouzehi B5
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  2. 2. Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Centre, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
  3. 3. Cardiovascular Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  5. 5. Gastroenterology and Hepatology Research Center, Institute of Basic and Clinical Physiology Sciences, of Clinical Biochemistry, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Jahad Boulevard Avicenna Avenue, Kerman, 7619813159, Iran

Source: BMC Endocrine Disorders Published:2025


Abstract

Obesity and atherosclerosis are significant metabolic diseases characterized by disrupted lipid metabolism. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, conserved, non-coding RNA sequences consisting of approximately 22 nucleotides, playing crucial roles in biological and pathological functions. Among these, miR-33a/b is particularly associated with metabolic diseases, notably obesity and atherosclerosis. In this pilot case-control study, 45 subjects were examined, and serum miR-33b levels were measured in three groups: a control group, hypercholesterolemic (HC) subjects without obesity (HC group), and obese subjects without hypercholesterolemia (obese group). Serum miR-33b levels were determined using the real-time PCR method. The expression of miR-33b was significantly higher in the HC and obese groups compared to the control group (p < 0.001). The Body mass index (BMI) in the obese group was significantly higher than in the control and HC groups (p < 0.001). Additionally, serum total cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) levels were higher in the HC group compared to both the control and obese groups. Our study demonstrated a correlation between serum miR-33b levels and HC and obesity. Finally, the ROC analysis demonstrated that miR-33b had an AUC of 0.74 for identifying hypercholesterolemia and an AUC of 0.76 for identifying obesity, indicating its acceptable diagnostic value alongside traditional markers. Therefore, serum miR-33b levels can be considered as a potential biomarker for obesity and hypercholesterolemia, but these finding are preliminary and further investigation is necessary in larger samples to confirm these associations. © The Author(s) 2025.
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