Exploring the association of CircRNAs expression with pediatric obesity, based on case-control study and related bioinformatics analysis

Abstract Objective: Our present study utilizes case-control research to explore the relationship between specific CircRNA and pediatric obesity through literature review and bioinformatics, and predict its possible biological functions, providing ideas for epigenetic mechanisms study of pediatric obesity. Methods: CircRNAs related to pediatric obesity were preliminarily screened by literature review and qRT-PCR. CircRNAs expression in obesity children (n=75) and controls (n=75) were confirmed with qRT-PCR in case-control study, followed by bioinformatics analyses, such as GO analysis, KEGG pathway analysis, and CeRNA network construction. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to analyze the effects of CirRNAs on obesity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was further drawn to explore the clinical application value of CircRNAs in pediatric obesity. Results: hsa_circ_0046367 and hsa_circ_0000284 were separately validated to be statistically down-regulated and up-regulated in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of obesity children, and revealed as independent indicators of increased CHD risk [hsa_circ_0046367(OR=0.681, 95%CI: 0.480~0.967) and hsa_circ_0000284 (OR=1.218, 95%CI:1.041~1.424)]. The area under the ROC curve in the combined analysis of hsa_circ_0046367 and hsa_circ_0000284 was 0.706(95%CI:0.623~0.789). Enrichment analyses revealed that they were actively involved in Neural Plasticity mechanisms, Cell Secretion and Signal Regulation. Conclusion: The present research disclosed that low expression of hsa_circ_0046367 and high expression of hsa_circ_0000284 are risk factors for pediatric obesity, neural plasticity mechanisms was closely related to obesity.