LncRNA MALAT1/miR-320a axis is associated with exercise-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial dysfunction commonly occurs in obese children, leading to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Exercise has protective effects against endothelial dysfunction through regulating some noncoding RNAs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship of long noncoding RNA MALAT1 and microRNA-320a (miR-320a) with the exercise-induced improvement of endothelial dysfunction in obese children. METHODS: Sixty obese children were included in this study, and 40 cases received a 12-week exercise training. The morphological and blood indices before and after exercise were recorded and compared, and the endothelial dysfunction was evaluated by examining the levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1, E-selectin, IL-6 and TNF-α using ELISA kits. The expression of noncoding RNAs was assessed using Real-Time quantitative PCR. Endothelial cells were used to explore the effects of MALAT1 and miR-320a on endothelial function. RESULTS: The 12-well exercise training decreased the levels of VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin, and inhibited MALAT1 but promoted miR-320a expression in obese children. The expression of MALAT1 and miR-320a was correlated with the changes of morphological and blood indices in obese children, and their correlations with endothelial dysfunction markers were obtained. Additionally, MALAT1 overexpression or miR-320a reduction led to inhibited proliferation and increased inflammation in HUVECs. CONCLUSION: All the data revealed that exercise has significantly protective effects against endothelial dysfunction, and can regulate the expression of the MALAT1/miR-320a axis. MALAT1 and miR-320a were correlated with endothelial dysfunction, indicating that the MALAT1/miR-320a axis may be related with the alleviating effects of exercise on endothelial function in obese children.