Investigating the altered expression of miR‐486‐5p and miR‐novel‐chr1_40444 in dysglycemia in a South African population

Aims This study aims to investigate miR‐486‐5p and miR‐novel‐chr1_40444 expressions in dysglycemic individuals. Validating RNA‐sequencing findings in a larger sample via reverse transcription qPCR (RT‐qPCR), we aim to address global diagnostic and screening limitations, using an African cohort as an example. Materials and Methods This cross‐sectional study involved 1,271 individuals [normoglycemic (n = 974), prediabetic (n = 206), screen‐detected type 2 diabetes (n = 91)] from the ongoing Vascular and Metabolic Health (VMH) study in Cape Town, South Africa. Whole blood miRNA expression was assessed using TaqMan‐based RT‐qPCR, with data normalized to an endogenous control (miR‐16‐5p). Results Significant underexpression was observed in prediabetes vs normoglycemia for miR‐486‐5p (P = 0.038), whilst both miRNAs demonstrated significant upregulation in screen‐detected type 2 diabetes vs normoglycemia (miR‐486‐5p, P = 0.009; miR‐novel‐chr1_40444, P