# MiRNA expression analysis from circulating exosomes in Barrett’s esophagus patients with visceral obesity

## TL;DR

This study explores miRNA expression in exosomes from Barrett’s esophagus patients with visceral obesity to identify potential biomarkers and understand disease mechanisms.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific miRNA expression patterns in exosomes from Barrett’s esophagus patients with visceral obesity, linking them to cancer-related pathways.

## Key findings

- 19 miRNAs were up-regulated and 2 down-regulated in Barrett’s esophagus patients with visceral obesity compared to controls.
- Predicted target genes were enriched in cancer and PI3K-Akt pathways, suggesting a role in disease progression.
- Circulating exosomal miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for Barrett’s esophagus in patients with visceral obesity.

## Abstract

Visceral obesity is a recognized risk factor for Barrett’s esophagus (BE). Circulating exosomal mirnas have been identified as potential biomarkers of BE. The aim of this study was to elucidate the characteristics of plasma exosomal miRNA expression in BE patients with or without visceral obesity and to explore its potential regulatory mechanisms in the pathogenesis of the disease. From June 1, 2017 to August 31, 2020, healthy people and BE patients were recruited at center and divided into four groups: Barrett’s esophagus patients with visceral obesity (VOBE), Barrett’s esophagus patients (BE), visceral obese controls (VOC), and healthy controls (HC).Serum samples were collected after approval by the Ethics Committee, exosomes were isolated by ultrafast centrifugation, and the expression of candidate mirnas was verified by qRT-PCR. Data showed that 19 of the common 27 differential miRNAs were up-regulated and two down-regulated among the three comparison groups of VOBE vs. VOC, VOBE vs. HC and VOBE vs. BE.By integrating TargetScan, miRDB and mirDIP databases, 594 target genes were predicted. The enrichment analysis of KEGG pathway suggested that these genes were significantly enriched in the cancer, PI3K-Akt and other pathway. There is an association between some circulating exosomal miRNAs and Barrett’s esophagus in patients with visceral obesity.This provides some ideas for exploring the molecular mechanism of visceral obesity involved in the development of BE.

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-29379-3.