Circulating mir-21 and mir-146a are associated with increased cytokines and CD36 in Algerian obese male participants.

Background: The microRNAs have come up as crucial mediators of energy balance and metabolic control. CD36 is potential biomarker of obesity and metabolic syndrome. This study investigates the concentration of miR-146a and miR-21 and CD 36 in blood samples of obese and healthy young participants. We assessed the association of mir-146a and mir-21 with inflammatory states in Algerian young participants.

Methods: Our study included male obese, without co-morbidities ( = 29), and healthy participants ( = 13). miRNA and CD36 expression was measured by real-time RT-PCR, respectively, in serum and blood.

Results: miR-146a and miR-21 concentrations were significantly decreased; however, CD36 expression was increased in obese subjects. Interestingly, miR-146a and miR-21 concentrations were negatively correlated to IL-6, TNF-α, and CD36 in obese participants.

Conclusion: We demonstrate that the downregulation of miR-146a and miR-21 was associated with upregulation of inflammatory state and increased CD36 expression in obese participants.