Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis
Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can control several biological processes. Thus, the existence of these molecules plays a significant role in regulating human iron metabolism or homeostasis. Purpose The study aimed to determine the role of circulating microRNAs and hepcidin in controlling iron...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-12-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Medical Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01579-5 |
| _version_ | 1797388510804574208 |
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| author | Hadeel A. Al-Rawaf Sami A. Gabr Amir Iqbal Ahmad H. Alghadir |
| author_facet | Hadeel A. Al-Rawaf Sami A. Gabr Amir Iqbal Ahmad H. Alghadir |
| author_sort | Hadeel A. Al-Rawaf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can control several biological processes. Thus, the existence of these molecules plays a significant role in regulating human iron metabolism or homeostasis. Purpose The study aimed to determine the role of circulating microRNAs and hepcidin in controlling iron homeostasis and evaluating possible anemia among school children. Methods The study was based on a biochemical and cross-sectional survey study that included three hundred fifty school children aged 12–18 years old. RT–PCR and immunoassay analysis were accomplished to estimate iron concentration, Hgb, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total body iron stores (TIBs), total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and miRNAs; miR-146a, miR-129b, and miR-122 in 350 school adolescents. Results Iron disorders were cross-sectionally predicted in 28.54% of the study population; they were classified into 14.26% with ID, 5.7% with IDA, and 8.6% with iron overload. The overall proportion of iron depletion was significantly higher in girls (20.0%) than in boys (8.6%). MicroRNAs; miR-146a, miR-125b, and miR-122 were significantly upregulated with lower hepcidin expression in adolescence with ID and IDA compared to iron-overloaded subjects, whereas downregulation of these miRNAs was linked with higher hepcidin. Also, a significant correlation was recorded between miRNAs, hepcidin levels, AGP, hs-CRP, TAC, and other iron-related indicators. Conclusion Molecular microRNAs such as miR-146a, miR-125b, and miR-122 were shown to provide an additional means of controlling or regulating cellular iron uptake or metabolism either via the oxidative stress pathway or regulation of hepcidin expression via activating genes encoding Hfe and Hjv activators, which promote iron regulation. Thus, circulating miRNAs as molecular markers and serum hepcidin could provide an additional means of controlling or regulating cellular iron and be associated as valuable markers in diagnosing and treating cases with different iron deficiencies. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:40:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ec234805133d4ce288ac7f37afb00243 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2047-783X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T22:40:53Z |
| publishDate | 2023-12-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Medical Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-ec234805133d4ce288ac7f37afb002432023-12-17T12:10:58ZengBMCEuropean Journal of Medical Research2047-783X2023-12-0128111210.1186/s40001-023-01579-5Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysisHadeel A. Al-Rawaf0Sami A. Gabr1Amir Iqbal2Ahmad H. Alghadir3Departments of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityRehabilitation Research Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityRehabilitation Research Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityRehabilitation Research Chair, Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud UniversityAbstract Background MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can control several biological processes. Thus, the existence of these molecules plays a significant role in regulating human iron metabolism or homeostasis. Purpose The study aimed to determine the role of circulating microRNAs and hepcidin in controlling iron homeostasis and evaluating possible anemia among school children. Methods The study was based on a biochemical and cross-sectional survey study that included three hundred fifty school children aged 12–18 years old. RT–PCR and immunoassay analysis were accomplished to estimate iron concentration, Hgb, serum ferritin (SF), soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total body iron stores (TIBs), total oxidative stress (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and miRNAs; miR-146a, miR-129b, and miR-122 in 350 school adolescents. Results Iron disorders were cross-sectionally predicted in 28.54% of the study population; they were classified into 14.26% with ID, 5.7% with IDA, and 8.6% with iron overload. The overall proportion of iron depletion was significantly higher in girls (20.0%) than in boys (8.6%). MicroRNAs; miR-146a, miR-125b, and miR-122 were significantly upregulated with lower hepcidin expression in adolescence with ID and IDA compared to iron-overloaded subjects, whereas downregulation of these miRNAs was linked with higher hepcidin. Also, a significant correlation was recorded between miRNAs, hepcidin levels, AGP, hs-CRP, TAC, and other iron-related indicators. Conclusion Molecular microRNAs such as miR-146a, miR-125b, and miR-122 were shown to provide an additional means of controlling or regulating cellular iron uptake or metabolism either via the oxidative stress pathway or regulation of hepcidin expression via activating genes encoding Hfe and Hjv activators, which promote iron regulation. Thus, circulating miRNAs as molecular markers and serum hepcidin could provide an additional means of controlling or regulating cellular iron and be associated as valuable markers in diagnosing and treating cases with different iron deficiencies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01579-5Acute phase reactionSubclinical inflammationIron statusSchool childrenAdolescenceMicro-RNAs |
| spellingShingle | Hadeel A. Al-Rawaf Sami A. Gabr Amir Iqbal Ahmad H. Alghadir Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis European Journal of Medical Research Acute phase reaction Subclinical inflammation Iron status School children Adolescence Micro-RNAs |
| title | Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis |
| title_full | Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis |
| title_fullStr | Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis |
| title_short | Circulating microRNAs and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children: a biochemical and cross-sectional survey analysis |
| title_sort | circulating micrornas and hepcidin as predictors of iron homeostasis and anemia among school children a biochemical and cross sectional survey analysis |
| topic | Acute phase reaction Subclinical inflammation Iron status School children Adolescence Micro-RNAs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01579-5 |
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