Expression levels of circulating microRNAs‐126, ‐155, and ‐145 in Mexican women exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through biomass fuel use.

Human exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) has been considered a risk determinant for the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess expression levels of vascular‐related miRNAs, miR‐126, miR‐155, and miR‐145, in plasma from women (aged 19–81 years) exposed (n = 100) and non‐exposed (n = 20) to PAHs via biomass combustion smoke.1‐hydroxypyrene (1‐OHP) was determined in urine as a biomarker of exposure to PAHs using high‐resolution liquid chromatography. Plasma expression levels of proposed miRNAs were determined by quantitative real‐time PCR. Additionally, traditional risk factors (age, blood pressure, serum lipid profile, blood glucose, and among others) associated with CVD were evaluated. Urinary 1‐OHP concentrations and plasma expression levels of miR‐126 and miR‐155 were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in women using wood as a fuel source in their homes (indoor) compared to women from the reference group (non‐exposed to biomass smoke). Besides, multivariate linear regression analyses revealed that miR‐126[β = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (0.32–0.90)] and miR‐155 [β = 0.45; 95% confidence interval (0.13–0.84)] expression levels were significantly associated with urinary 1‐OHP concentrations after being adjusted by traditional risk factors (P < 0.05). In contrast, no significant relationship was found between miR‐145 and urinary 1‐OHP levels. Furthermore, miRNAs assessed in this investigation are associated with CVD events. Consequently, actions to reduce exposure to PAHs in the evaluated population are warranted. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 60:546–558, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]