Because of their role in regulating and fine-tuning gene expression in the post-transcriptional period, microRNA (miRNA) may represent a mediating factor that connects diet and metabolic regulation. Given the vast number of miRNA and that modulations in miRNA happen in response to a variety of stimuli, a comprehensive registry of miRNA impacted by diet and the food items that modulate them, would have utility in the identification of miRNA complements for analysis of diet interventions and in helping to establish linkages between the specific impacts of diet components. A scoping literature search of online databases (PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Web of Science) was performed. Only studies in human populations, that utilized a diet intervention or meal challenge, that measured microRNA profiles in the same subject at multiple time points were included. Of the 6167 studies screened, only 25 met the study criteria and were included in the review. Seven studies examined miRNA following a meal challenge, while 18 investigated miRNA following a sustained diet intervention. The results demonstrate miRNA are modulated following a variety of diet interventions and that intensity of miRNA response is greater in metabolically healthy subjects. Heterogeneity in the intensity and length of the diet intervention, the study populations being observed, and the methodology through which target miRNA are identified contribute to a lack of comparability across studies. The findings of this review highlight the need for more study of miRNA responsiveness to intake and provide recommendations for future research.
Keywords: diet; food; microRNAs; nutriepigenomics; precision nutrition.
Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.