Blood orange juice intake modulates plasma and PBMC microRNA expression in overweight and insulin-resistant women: impact on MAPK and NFΚB signaling pathways

Blood orange consumption presents potential health benefits and may modulate epigenetic mechanisms such as microRNAs (miRNAs) expression. MiR-NAs are non-coding RNAs responsible for post-transcriptional gene regulation, and these molecules can also be used as biomarkers in body fluids. This study was designed to investigate the effect of chronic blood orange juice (BOJ) intake on the inflammatory response and miRNA expression profile in plasma and blood cells in overweight women. The study cohort was comprised of twenty women aged 18-40 years old, diagnosed as overweight, who consumed 500 mL/d of BOJ for four weeks. Clinical data were collected at baseline and after 4 weeks of juice consumption, e.g., anthropometric and hemodynamic parameters, food intake, blood cell count, and metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers. BOJ samples were analyzed and characterized. Additionally, plasma and blood cells were also collected for miRNA expression profiling and evaluation of the expression of genes and proteins in the MAPK and NF Kappa B signaling pathways. BOJ intake increased the expression of miR-144-3p in plasma and the expression of miR-424-5p, miR-144-3p, and miR-130b-3p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Conversely, the beverage intake decreased the expression of let-7f-5p and miR-126-3p in PBMC. Computational analy-ses identified different targets of the dysregulated miRNA on inflammatory pathways. Furthermore, BOJ intake increased vitamin C consumption and the pJNK/JNK ratio and decreased the expression of IL6 mRNA and NF Kappa B protein. These results demonstrate that BOJ regulates the expression of genes involved in the inflammatory process and decreases NF k B-protein expression in PBMC.(c) 2022 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Long-term consumption of blood orange juice has an impact on the inflammatory response and miRNA expression pattern in overweight women. Blood orange juice intake increased the expression of miR-144-3p in plasma, as well as miR-424-5p, miR-144-3p, and miR-130b-3p in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). Conversely, it decreased the expression of let-7f-5p and miR-126-3p in PBMC. This intake also increased vitamin C consumption and the pJNK/JNK ratio, while decreasing the expression of IL6 mRNA and NF Kappa B protein.