Determination of relationship of SOCS3 Gene and Micro RNA 218 in childhood obesity

Obesity is a medical condition which increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer. It usually results from a combination of genetic, behavioral, metabolic and hormonal factors. Leptin Resistance is one of the important causes of obesity. Some of the mechanisms which underlines its development are mutations in leptin and leptin receptor genes or genetic mutations of proteins in postreceptor pathway and proteins taking part in feedback mechanism on its own synthesis. Also permeability of blood–brain barrier effects leptin function. However its underlying mechanism still needs to be investigated. In this study, we investigated the role of Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 (SOCS3) and circulating miRNAs in leptin resistance in childhood obesity by miRNA target prediction methods. Our preliminary study about miRNA target prediction has shown that mir-218-5p may be involved in the development of leptin resistance by affecting Leptin, Leptin Receptor and SOCS3 genes. Furthermore we investigated serum miR-218-5p expression in two study groups, leptin resistant obese children (Patient Group: n=35) and non-obese children (Control Group: n=30). Our results have shown that serum miR-218-5p expression are significantly increased in leptin resistant obese children in accordance with the serum leptin levels (p<0.05). There were no significant difference between obese and nonobese children according to serum SOCS3 levels and SOCS3 genotypes. We state that miR-218-5p can be used as a possible diagnostic parameter for leptin resistance in childhood obesity.