Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Sonntagbauer, S.
MicroRNA Signatures in Vitamin D Metabolism
Humanmedizin; [ Diplomarbeit ] Graz Medical University; 2018. pp. 49
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Francic Vito
- Obermayer-Pietsch Barbara
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and their multiple influences on cell differentiation, cellular function and metabolism are subject of intense research. These single-stranded, non-coding RNA elements have been detected at important steps in bone and glucose physiology. Our aim is to describe differentially expressed microRNAs in healthy men treated with vitamin D or placebo (PBO) for 12 weeks. Methods: Out of a randomized controlled trial including vitamin D deficient (serum 25(OH)vitamin D < 30 ng/ml) healthy men treated with 20,000 IU of vitamin D or PBO per week, we randomly chose 4 patients with an increase of 25OHD serum levels (3 time points including baseline) and 3 PBO samples at baseline and final visit. RNA was isolated from serum samples and quantified by an Exiqon RNA panel. Results: Out of 372 microRNA assays, 111 showed a signal in all 18 samples. In the samples with 25OHD increase, 7 microRNAs showed significant changes above 2fold in their expression levels compared to baseline. Some of them (e.g. miR-194-5p, miR-326) have already been associated with ß-cell-function and carcinogenesis in previous studies. Discussion: In this study, we were able to show a direct impact of vitamin D treatment on the expression of biologically relevant microRNAs in serum as compared to PBO. Identification of downstream targets of these microRNAs as well as their complex role in the pathophysiology of specific diseases have to be elucidated in future.