High serum miR-421 is associated with metabolic dysregulation and inflammation in patients with metabolic syndrome.

To explore the association of circulating miRNAs with adiposity, metabolic status and inflammatory biomarkers in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Serum levels of 372 miRNAs were measured in patients with (n = 6) and without MetS (n = 6) by quantitative PCR array, and dysregulated miRNAs were validated in a larger cohort (MetS, n = 89; non-MetS, n = 144). In the screening study, seven miRNAs were dysregulated in patients with MetS, and miR-421 remained increased in the validation study.