The gene expression of long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs): MEG3 and H19 in adipose tissues from obese women and its association with insulin resistance and obesity indices

BACKGROUND: There is evidence regarding the role of two lncRNAs: MEG3 and H19 the pathomechanism of obesity and related disorders. Here, we aimed to evaluate the expression of MEG3 and H19 in visceral adipose tissues (VAT) and subcutaneous adipose tissues (SAT) of obese women (n = 18), as compared to normal‐weight women (n = 17). Moreover, we sought to identify the association of expression of MEG3 and H19 in SAT and VAT with obesity parameters, insulin resistance, and the mRNA expression of possible target genes involved in adipogenesis and lipogenesis including peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), fatty acid synthase (FAS), and acetyl‐CoA carboxylase (ACC). METHODS: Real‐time PCR was performed to investigate the mRNA expression of the above‐mentioned genes in VAT and SAT from all participants. RESULTS: The results showed lower mRNA levels of H19 in SAT of obese women, compared to normal‐weight women, while MEG3 expression was significantly higher in the SAT of the obese group rather than controls. Correlation analysis indicated that the transcript level of H19 had an inverse correlation with obesity indices and HOMA‐IR values. However, MEG3 expression displayed a positive correlation with all the indicated parameters in all participants. Interestingly, a positive correlation was found between transcript level of MEG3 in SAT with FAS and PPARγ. However, there was an inverse correlation between SAT expression of H19 and FAS. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that lncRNAs, MEG3 and H19, are involved in obesity‐related conditions. However, more clinical studies are still required to clarify the relationships between lncRNAs with obesity and related abnormalities.