Urine exosomes biomarkers of Obesity treatment: A pilot study

Background: Obesity is a raising risk factor for many diseases including Cardiovascular risks and Cancer. The present limitations and inaccuracy of anthropometric measures as well as treatment options demand research of integrative management strategies and identification of specific biomarkers of obesity. This study identifies the urine exosome biomarkers and its differential expression profile between 3-timepoints from female obese participants who underwent Ayurveda treatment.MethodologyUrine exosomes were isolated using PEG methods of isolation. The major proteins obtained were identified using label-free quantification in LC-MS/MS. The genes involved in pathway enrichment, functional annotation and disease manifestation were identified and shortlisted based on protein interaction network. The hub genes representing obesity are identified.ResultsThe exosomes isolated were validated using LC-MS/MS. Using UniProt as reference, a total of 210 exosome proteins were identified. 73 genes were overexpressed in pathway enrichment analysis. Further, GO functional annotation identified 15 common genes involved. Finally, the 8 genes common in obesity were identified and its differential expression profile was seen to have corrected at timepoints during treatment.ConclusionThis is the first study to isolate and identify urine exosomes profiles from female obese participants of India. The study results indicate the correction in the differential expression profile of 8 hub genes involved in obesity post treatment. The biomarker signature of the pilot study indicates the specificity of urine exosomes as diagnostic markers. The study also promotes the potential of integrative and complementary treatment approaches like Ayurveda in effective management of many metabolic diseases.