Examining the effects of coronary artery disease- and mitochondrial biogenesis-related genes’ and microRNAs’ expression levels on metabolic disorders in epicardial adipose tissue

Possibly dysregulated mitochondrial biogenesis in EAT and VAT in metabolic diseases and CAD is investigated through: examining expressions of genes encoding AMPKα (PRKAA1), PGC1A (PPARGC1A), and SIRT1; assessing expressions of RELA (p65), TNF-α (TNFA) and their proven post-transcriptional regulators (miR-155-5p and let-7g-5p) for their role in the regulation of inflammation that could cause mitochondrial dysfunction; examining cellular energy metabolism associated miRNAs (miR-1247-5p and miR-326). Expressions of these genes and miRNAs are altered under the conditions of CAD, diabetes, and obesity, which could be associated with dysfunctional mitochondria and dysregulated bioenergetics. [Display omitted] •AMPKα1 gene expression is lower in EAT of CAD, DM, and CAD-DM patients than in VAT.•AMPKα1, PGC-1α and SIRT1 gene expressions are lower in EAT of DM patients.•TNFA expression is increased in EAT and VAT of patients with CAD.•miR-1247-5p and miR-326 expressions in EAT are altered in obesity.•PGC-1α is downregulated in EAT and VAT under the condition of obesity. Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) surrounds the heart and coronary arteries and is important for comprehending the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). We aimed to evaluate the expressions of mitochondrial biogenesis- and CAD-related genes and miRNAs in EAT by comparing them to visceral adipose tissue (VAT) in CAD, diabetes, and obesity subgroups. In this study, a total of 93 individuals were recruited, and EAT samples (63 CAD; 30 non-CAD) and VAT samples from 65 individuals (46 CAD; 19 non-CAD) were collected. For further analysis, the study population was divided according to obesity and diabetes status. PRKAA1, PPARGC1A, SIRT1, RELA, TNFA, and miR-155-5p, let-7g-5p, miR-1247-5p, miR-326 expression levels were examined. PRKAA1 and let-7g-5p were differentially expressed in EAT compared to VAT. TNFA expression was upregulated significantly in both tissues of CAD patients. In EAT, PRKAA1, PPARGC1A, and SIRT1 were downregulated with diabetes. Moreover, PPARGC1A expression is decreased under the condition of obesity in both tissues. EAT expressions of miR-1247-5p and miR-326 were downregulated with obesity, while miR-155-5p is decreased only in the VAT of obese. Also, miRNAs and genes were correlated with biochemical parameters and each other in EAT and VAT (p