Sahithya Varier

Moldova

Bioinformatic signatures predicting early Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Diya Uday1, Sahithya Madhusoodanan Varier2, Stela Vudu3

1. Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
2. Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova
3. Department of Endocrinology, Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Republic of Moldova

Abstract

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a common chronic metabolic disorder that progresses
gradually, marked by a silent pre-diabetic phase. Commonly used tests such as glycated
hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose test, or oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT)
generally fail to identify early metabolic disturbances. However, recent studies have shown that biomarkers like microRNAs (miRNAs) and leptin messenger RNA (mRNA) change before the clinical phase becomes evident, thereby proving their potential as early indicators of the disease.

Methods

Information regarding the study from the past 5 years was researched and obtained using the keywords “RNA”, “T2DM”, “Biomarkers” and “Bioinformatics” from databases like PubMed, PubMed Central, and Frontiers.

Results

Circulating microRNAs such as miR-375, miR-7a, and let-7 were consistently found to be elevated, whereas miR-126, miR-29a, and miR-221 were reduced in individuals with diabetes or high-risk profiles. Leptin mRNA, on the other hand, was found to be repeatedly lower in T2DM than in normoglycaemic states, and studies combining leptin mRNA with the above-mentioned miRNAs displayed a clear distinction between healthy, pre-diabetic, and diabetic participants. Hence, functional assessment of these RNA markers revealed
disturbances in glucose homeostasis, insulin-secretion pathways, and endothelial inflammatory signalling.

Conclusions

Bioinformatic signatures that focus on changes in circulating microRNAs with reduced leptin mRNA accurately identify adults at risk of developing T2DM, transcending traditional
glycemic tests. They help in identifying metabolic abnormalities before the onset of
pronounced hyperglycaemia, allowing for early interventions. Future research should be directed towards the large-scale involvement of these biomarkers, highlighting their potential
to be integrated with standard screening procedures, which may delay or even prevent their progression to clinical type 2 diabetes mellitus.