The aim of this review was to convey updated information on the role of microRNAs in adipogenesis, chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance in obesity. Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by the presence of metabolic disorders (e.g., low-grade chronic inflammation), which contributes to the manifestation of insulin resistance. Diverse molecular mechanisms have been implicated in the development of these disorders, and microRNAs stand out as a contributing factor. They are a class of noncoding RNAs that regulate the expression of genes by inducing cleavage of mRNAs or via inhibition of protein translation. It is important to point out that obese individuals show alterations in the expression of microRNAs favoring manifestation of the metabolic disorders present in these patients, and these alterations may be reversed by the loss of weight. Therefore, microRNAs may be regarded as potential biomarkers of obesity-related disorders. Further studies on this topic may advance the understanding of the molecular basis of obesity, including the participation of microRNAs in the pathogenesis of this disease.
Keywords: Adipogenesis; Chronic inflammation; Insulin resistance; Obesity; microRNAs.
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