Circulating MicroRNAs as a New Class of Biomarkers of Physiological Reactions of the Organism to the Intake of Dietary Supplements and Drugs

Abstract

Background: The analysis of individual microRNAs (miRNAs) as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for the effective treatment of various diseases has aroused particular interest in the scientific community. The determination of circulating miRNAs makes it possible to assess biological changes associated with nutritional processes, the intake of dietary supplements and drugs, etc. The profile of circulating miRNAs reflects the individual adaptation of the organism to the effect of specific environmental conditions.

Objective: The objective of this study is to systematize the data and show the importance of circulating miRNAs as new potential biomarkers of the organism's response to the intake of various dietary supplements, drugs, and consider the possibility of their use in doping control.

Methods: A systematic analysis of scientific publications (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) on the miRNA expression profile in response to the intake of dietary supplements and drugs most often used by athletes, and supposed their role as potential markers in modern doping control was carried out.

Results: The profile of circulating miRNAs is highly dependent on the intake of a particular drug, and, therefore, may be used as a marker of the effects of biologically active supplements and drugs including the substances from the Prohibited List of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Conclusion: Monitoring of circulating miRNAs can serve as a high-precision marker for detecting doping abuse in elite sports. However, it is necessary to conduct additional studies on the effect of complex drugs on the profile of circulating miRNAs and individual circulating miRNAs on a particular biological process.

Keywords: biologically active supplements; dietary supplements; doping; drugs; medical supplies; microRNA biomarkers.