Evaluation of the expression levels of lncRNAs H19 and MEG3 in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND

LncRNAs may play a role in either suppressing or exacerbating diabetes-associated vascular complications.

AIMS

This study aimed to assess MEG3 and H19 expression levels in T2DM and pre-diabetes and their roles in diabetes-related microvascular complications.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

(RT-PCR) analysis of the MEG3 and H19 plasma levels was carried out in 180 participants of T2DM, pre-diabetes, and control.

RESULTS

The expression level of lncRNA H19 was significantly down-regulated and lncRNA MEG3 up-regulated in T2DM compared to pre-diabetes and control, also for pre-diabetes versus control. The (ROC) analysis of MEG3 and H19 relative expression levels showed that MEG3 has better sensitivity for distinguishing T2DM from pre-diabetes and control groups.In comparison, H19 offered superior sensitivity to distinguish pre-diabetic from controls. Additionally, H19 was reported as an independent risk factor for T2DM by multivariate analysis. Low expression of H19 and over-expressed MEG3 were significantly associated with retinopathy, nephropathy, and elevated renal indicators (urea, creatinine, and UACR.

CONCLUSION

Our results implicated the potential diagnostic and predictive roles of lncRNA MEG3 and H19 for T2DM and related microvascular complications. Additionally, H19 may serve as a potential biomarker for pre-diabetes prediction.