The microRNA, called miR-181b, controls adipose tissue vessels, making it responsible for obesity-related changes in those areas. In their study of mice, miR-181b expression was associated with a decrease in adipose tissue in endothelial cells but not in adipocytes. These results were observed after one week of mice being fed a high-fat diet.<\/p>\n
miR-181b also directly targets a protein phosphatase called PHLPP2. Levels of this protein were found to be higher in endothelial cells from diabetic patients than from non-diabetic patients. Therefore, inhibiting PHLPP2 and boosting miR-181b expression are on the \u201cto-do\u201d list of the researchers involved in this study.<\/p>\n
Scientists believe that they can rebuild the healthy levels of miR-181b of unhealthy people to decrease insulin resistance that causes and exacerbates diabetes. Initial successes are promising: scientists giving miR-181b injections saw improved insulin sensitivity, improved glucose levels, and reduced inflammation. The same results showed with PHLPP2 inhibition.<\/p>\n
\u00abThe beneficial role of this microRNA in obesity is likely the tip of the iceberg since excessive inflammation is a pervasive finding in a wide-range of chronic inflammatory diseases,\u201d said senior author Mark Feinberg, MD.<\/p>\n