Investigation of expression levels of microRNA and candidate genes associated with AMPK pathway involved in mitochondrial metabolism in coronary artery patients

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the global health problems. To prevent CAD, it is important to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the formation of atherosclerosis. In this context, it is aimed to investigate the expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) and genes effective in bioregulation of mitochondria that change due to oxidative stress in atherosclerosis. In this study, PRKAA2, PPARGC1A, SIRT1, RELA, and TNFA gene expressions were examined in epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) while miR-155-5p, miR-30a-5p, miR-1247-5p, and miR-326 expression levels were examined in EAT and visceral adipose tissues (VAT). Expression levels of genes and miRNAs were evaluated by qRT-PCR in EAT samples from 93 individuals (63 CAD; 30 non-CAD), and VAT samples from 65 individuals (46 CAD; 19 non-CAD). EAT TNFA expression levels were higher in the CAD group compared to non-CAD (p=0.006). In addition subgroups were formed according to diabetes and obesity status. Expression levels of PRKAA2, PPARGC1A, SIRT1, and TNFA genes were different between several subgroups in EAT samples (p<0.050). The expression levels of miR-1247-5p were found to decrease in obese and obese CAD patients (p<0.050). Selected miRNAs were found to correlate with biochemical parameters in subgroups (p<0.050). This study is important as it is the first study in which selected genes and miRNAs were examined together in VAT and EAT for the pathogenesis of CAD, obesity, and diabetes. The results obtained in the study show that the examined genes and miRNAs may be a potential target in the prevention and treatment of CAD.