Kaur K, Bhatia H, Datta M. MicroRNAs in hepatic pathophysiology in diabetes.
World J Diabetes 2011;
2:158-63. [PMID:
22013501 PMCID:
PMC3196616 DOI:
10.4239/wjd.v2.i10.158]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2011] [Revised: 09/14/2011] [Accepted: 09/21/2011] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) are small approximately 22 nucleotide RNA species that are believed to regulate diverse metabolic and physiological processes. In the recent past, several reports have surfaced that demonstrate the role of miRNAs in various biological processes and numerous disease states. For a disease as complex as diabetes, the emergence of miRNAs as key regulators leading to the disease phenotype has added a novel dimension to the area of diabetes research. On the other hand, the liver, a metabolic hub, contributes in a major way towards maintaining normal glucose levels in the body as it can both stimulate and inhibit hepatic glucose output. This equilibrium is frequently disturbed in diabetes and hence, the liver assumes special significance considering the correlation between altered hepatic physiology and diabetes. While the understanding of the mechanisms behind this altered hepatic behavior is not yet completely understood, recent reports on the status and role of miRNAs in the diabetic liver have further added to the complexities of the knowledge of hepatic pathophysiology in diabetes. Here, we bring together the various miRNAs that play a role in the altered hepatic behavior during diabetes.
Collapse