Blood-based microRNAs as biomarkers of insulin resistance in childhood obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Mol Cell EndocrinolJul 2, 2026 (epub)
Lin Wang, Zhaofen Liu
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated blood-based microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers for insulin resistance (IR) in children with obesity. Among 20 studies, miR-122 was consistently up-regulated and positively associated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.53; 95%CI, 0.35-0.67), while miR-29a showed a strong correlation (r = 0.67; 95%CI, 0.59-0.73) in more severely affected cohorts.
Key findings
- miR-122 showed recurrent up-regulation in adverse metabolic phenotypes with a correlation to HOMA-IR of r = 0.53.
- miR-29a demonstrated a strong positive association with IR markers, with a correlation of r = 0.67.
- The review included 20 studies, with varying risks of bias and significant heterogeneity in study designs.
- Other miRNAs like miR-146a and miR-34a showed relevant but less consistent findings.
Why it matters
Understanding the role of blood-based miRNAs in insulin resistance could enhance early detection and risk stratification in childhood obesity, potentially guiding preventive strategies.