Circulating microRNAs in obese and lean heart failure patients: A case–control study with computational target prediction analysis

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate processes involved in both cardiac remodeling and obesity. We investigated if the expression of selected miRs in patients with heart failure (HF) is influenced by the presence of obesity. In this case–control study, we compared plasma levels of miR-21, -130b, -221, -423-5p, and the -221/-130b ratio in 57 age- and gender-matched subjects: 40 HF patients (20 obese HF and 20 lean HF) and 17 lean healthy controls. Body composition was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. MiRs were measured by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis was performed based on miRs findings to predict their putative targets and investigate their biological function. HF was associated with increased miR-423-5p levels in both lean and obese patients (P