Cinnamon Extract Changes the Expression of miRNAs26-b, 29a, 223 and320 in Insulin Resistant Adipocytes

Insulin resistance (IR) is the major cause in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Expression of some miRNAs can be changed in response to a drug treatment for IR, and used as the biomarker in IR. This study set out to determine the effect of cinnamon extract (cinnamaldehyde) on some miRNAs expression in IR adipocytes.

In this In-vitro study the 3T3L1 cells were expanded in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium (DMEM), differentiated into adipocytes phenotype and insulin resistant with high glucose medium, then the cells were treated with cinnamaldehyde. To determine of the miRNAs profiling in 3T3L1 adipocytes, insulin-resistant adipocytes and treated insulin-resistant adipocytes quantitative real-time PCR method was performed.

IR adipocytes exhibited a significantly increase in miRs 29a, 223 and 320 expression, and decrease in miR26-b expression in compare to the normal adipocytes
(P-value<0.001 and P-value= 0.024 respectively). However in response to cinnamaldehyde in IR adipocytes, expression of miRs 29a, 223 and 320 were down-regulated while expression of miR26-b was up-regulated neared it to the normal level (P-value= 0.003 and P-value= 0.002 respectively).

IR changes expression of intended miRs, so that cinnamaldehyde treatment helps to improve and normalize the changes. Cinnamon as the herbal product can be helpful for IR particular in adipose tissue.