hsa_circ_0115355 promotes pancreatic β‐cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes through the miR‐145/SIRT1 axis

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disease closely related to obesity, a growing global health problem. T2DM is characterized by decreased islet beta‐cell mass and impaired insulin release from these cells, and this dysfunction is exacerbated by hyperglycemia (glucolipotoxicity). Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are abnormally expressed and play a regulatory role in T2DM. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the function and molecular mechanism of hsa_circ_0115355 in the progression of T2DM. METHODS: The regulatory effect of hsa_circ_0115355 on INS‐1 cell function was assessed under glucolipotoxicity by MTT, flow cytometry analysis, and insulin secretion assay. Dual‐luciferase experiments revealed a direct interaction of hsa_circ_0115355 with miR‐145 and miR‐145 with SIRT1. Furthermore, the regulatory role of the hsa_circ_0115355/miR‐145/SIRT1 axis was verified by examining the function of INS‐1. RESULTS: In this study, hsa_circ_0115355 was significantly underexpressed in both patients with T2DM and INS‐1 cell lines. This study thus showed that hsa_circ_0115355 inhibits the occurrence and development of T2DM by regulating the expression of SIRT1 by adsorbing miR‐145. CONCLUSION: The underexpression hsa_circ_0115355 is also a potential novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for T2DM.