Concentração de zinco e sua relação com a expressão do miR-143-3p circulante em mulheres com síndrome metabólica

Abstract

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical condition marked by the presence of chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. In this scenario, some micronutrients are essential to promote an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action, such as zinc, an important activator of antioxidant enzymes and inhibitor of pro-oxidant substances. It is a micronutrient with an important role in cardiovascular diseases, obesity and chronic diseases. miR-143-3p proved to be an important microRNA (miRNA) to be investigated, due to its association with zinc in the context of MetS. Thus, this study aims to evaluate plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentration and its association with anthropometric parameters, biochemical profile, inflammatory biomarkers and circulating miR-143-3p expression in overweight women with MetS. The study is cross-sectional with 71 women aged between 18 and 60 years and BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m², classified with or without MetS. Zinc concentration and its relationship with anthropometric parameters, biochemical profile, inflammatory markers and circulating miR-143-3p, extracted from plasma, were evaluated. Plasma and erythrocyte zinc concentration and miR-143-3p expression did not differ significantly between the studied population. Furthermore, the women in this study did not have a deficiency in this micronutrient. miR-143-3p was negatively correlated with plasma zinc (-0.334 [p=0.016]), HOMA-IR (-0.325 [p=0.017]) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) (-0.310 [p=0.023 ]). In women with MetS, plasma zinc (-0.611 [p=0.005]) and erythrocyte zinc (-0.463 [p=0.046]) showed a negative correlation with miR-143-3p. Thus, although differences in miR-143-3p expression and zinc concentration were not verified, important correlations were identified, especially in participants with MetS, suggesting a possible relationship between zinc and the studied miRNA. However, the need for further studies is reinforced to confirm this possible relationship, as well as to better elucidate the role of zinc and miR-143-3p in MetS.