Weight loss reduces circulating micro-RNA related to obesity and breast cancer in postmenopausal women

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

• Level A · Stronger Clinical Evidence
• Level B · Emerging clinical evidence with positive signals
• Level C · Early human research exploring benefits
• Level D · Scientific groundwork from lab and animal studies
• Emerging · Emerging topic under active research

Abstract (original English)

Postmenopausal women with overweight or obesity have an increased risk of developing breast cancer but many of the mechanisms underlying this association remain to be elucidated. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), short non-coding single-stranded RNAs, regulate many physiological processes by controlling post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA. We measured circulating miRNA from 192 overweight/obese postmenopausal women (50-75 years) who were part of a randomized controlled trial, comparing independent and combined effects of a 12-month reduced-calorie weight-loss diet and exercise programme, versus control. RNA was extracted from stored plasma samples, and 23 a priori selected miRNA targets related to aetiology of breast cancer or obesity were measured using NanoString nCounter miRNA Expression assays. Changes from baseline to 12-months between controls and women in the diet/exercise weight loss arms were analysed using generalized estimating equations modification of linear regression, adjusted for confounders. We next examined changes in levels of circulating miRNA by amount of weight loss (0-10% versus ≥10%). Participants randomized to weight-loss interventions had statistically significantly greater reductions in miR-122 (-7.25%), compared to controls (+ 33.5%, P = 0.009), and miR-122 levels were statistically significantly correlated with weight loss (rho = 0.24; P = 0.001) Increasing w

Evidence level

Several human studies show positive signals, while research methods and sample sizes continue to develop.

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