title: MicroRNA expression in relation to different dietary habits: a comparison in stool and plasma samples.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of small non-coding RNAs, are fundamental for the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Altered expression of miRNAs has been detected in cancers, not only in primary tissue but also in easily obtainable specimens like plasma and stools. miRNA expression is known to be modulated by diet (micro and macronutrients, phytochemicals) and possibly by other lifestyle factors; however, such influence has not yet been exhaustively explored in humans. In the present study, we analysed the expression levels of a panel of seven human miRNAs in plasma and stool samples of a group of 24 healthy individuals characterised by different dietary habits (eight vegans, eight vegetarians and eight subjects with omnivorous diet, all groups with similar age and sex distribution). The dual aim of the study was to identify possible differences in miRNA expression due to diet (or other lifestyle factors recorded from questionnaires) and to compare results in both types of specimens. miR-92a was differentially expressed in both plasma and stool samples and with the same trend, among the three groups with different diets (P = 0.0002 and P = 0.02, respectively, with expression levels of vegans>vegetarians>omnivores). miR-92a was also associated with low body mass index (P = 0.04 and P = 0.05, respectively) in both types of specimens, and with several dietary factors. Other analysed miRNAs (miR-16, miR-21, mir-34a and miR-222) were associated with dietary and lifestyle factors, but not consistently in both stool and plasma. Our pilot study provides the first evidence of miRNA modulation by diet and other factors, that can be detected consistently in both plasma and stools samples.
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Sonia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tarallo
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, via Santena 19, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pardini
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mancuso
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, via Santena 19, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, via Santena 19, 10126 Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Cornelia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Gaetano
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastro-Hepatology, Ospedale Gradenigo, Corso Regina Margherita 8, 10153 Turin, Italy and.
authors.forename: Floriano
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rosina
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy, School of Public Health, Imperial College, Norfolk Place, London W2 1PG, UK.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vineis
authors.affiliation: Human Genetics Foundation, via Nizza 52, 10126 Turin, Italy, alessio.naccarati@hugef-torino.org.
authors.forename: Alessio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Naccarati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D057890:Epigenomics; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry*; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D064368:Healthy Volunteers; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012313:RNA / Q000097:blood / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D012313:RNA