306-OR: Changes in Adipose-Derived Circulating MicroRNA Levels and Improvements in Visceral and Ectopic Fat Depots and Insulin Sensitivity: The CENTRAL Trial

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs, and adipose tissue is a major source of circulating miRNAs that may regulate body fat distribution. We investigated whether changes in circulating adipose-derived miRNAs (miR-99a-5p, miR-99b-5p, and miR-100-5p) were related to improvements in visceral and ectopic fat depots in abdominal obese adults who participated in the CENTRAL diet-and-lifestyle intervention trial. We further tested whether changes in these miRNAs were related to improved glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity after the intervention. Plasma levels of miRNAs were measured both at baseline (n=227) and 18 months (n=157) after the intervention; changes in miRNAs from baseline to 18 months were calculated. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed to assess visceral adipose tissue (VAT), intrahepatic fat %, and pancreatic fat %. At baseline, higher levels of miR-99a-5p and miR-100-5p were associated with greater intrahepatic fat (p