Expression of obesity‑related miR‑1908 in human adipocytes is regulated by adipokines, free fatty acids and hormones.

White adipose tissue mass is governed by competing processes that control lipid synthesis and storage, as well as the development of new adipocytes, and also trigger metabolic and inflammatory changes. microRNAs (miRNAs) have been suggested to act as negative regulators controlling varied biological processes at the level of post‑transcriptional repression. The present study focused on investigating the expression of miR‑1908 in mature human adipocytes and its responses to adipokines [tumor necrosis factor α (TNF‑α), interleukin 6 (IL‑6), leptin and resistin), free fatty acids (FFAs), growth hormone (GH) and dexamethasone (DEX). miR‑1908 was highly expressed in mature human adipocytes. The mature human adipocytes responded to proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‑α and IL‑6) by markedly increasing the expression of miR‑1908 at 4 h of incubation. Adipokines (resistin and leptin) and FFAs were shown to downregulate the expression of miR‑1908 in human adipocytes. Furthermore, the expression of miR‑1908 was decreased 4 h after treatment with GH; however, DEX treatment of human adipocytes did not affect the expression of miR‑1908 during the 24‑h experimental period. In conclusion, the present study showed that the expression of miR‑1908 is affected by a variety of factors that are associated with obesity and insulin sensitivity. miR‑1908 may be an important mediator in the development of obesity‑related complications.