miRNAome-metabolome wide association study reveals effects of miRNA regulation in male diabetic erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is a prevalent complication of diabetes characterised by multifaceted vascular dysfunction and metabolic disturbances. Emerging evidence highlights the interplay between dysregulated metabolites and miRNA-mediated epigenetic modifications in driving endothelial dysfunction and smooth muscle apoptosis within the penile vasculature. Currently, treatments such as phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) have limited efficacy in patients with DMED. Further exploration of novel molecular networks is particularly needed.

Methods: In diabetic men patients, we utilized the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score to categorise participants into two groups: the diabetic group (NC) and the DMED group. Plasma samples were collected to perform non-targeted metabolomics and miRNAomics analyses. We screened for significant differences in both metabolites and miRNAs between the two groups and conducted a miRNAome-metabolome association study to evaluate the relationship between miRNAs and metabolites. Subsequently, we employed mediation analysis with 1000 bootstraps to assess the association among miRNAs, metabolites, and clinical phenotypes, at an false discovery rate (FDR) significance level of 0.05.

Results: The meta-analysis revealed 2014 significant contemporaneous associations, encompassing 54 miRNAs and 312 metabolites. Our analysis pinpointed 15 central hub metabolites, including Pentadecanoic acid, Linolelaidic Acid, L-Homocitrulline, etc. Furthermore, seven central hub metabolites - Adenine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), Choline, etc - were recognized as primary mediators in indirect miRNA-metabolite associations, collectively influencing IIEF-5 scores and arterial plaque formation. Furthermore, we identified molecular pathways for further research on ED, such as the pathways of hsa-miRNA-570-3p/PDE5A/cGMP and hsa-miRNA-9-3p/PDE1A/adenine in purine metabolism, has-miR-9-3p/ACSL4/palmitoylcarnitine in fatty acid metabolism, and has-miR-570-3p/PDK4/Indole pathway in tryptophan metabolism.

Conclusion: The indirect regulation of metabolism and cellular function by miRNAs plays a role in influencing the severity of ED and the formation of vascular plaques in men. These will be potential research targets and mechanism for us to treat DMED.

Keywords: Carotid plaque; Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction; IIEF-5 score; Metabolite; microRNA.