Decreased serum DBH-AS1 levels are associated with metabolic syndrome and exhibit diagnostic value in obese individuals

As obesity rates rise, obesity-linked metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence soars, threatening global public health. This study probed lncRNA DBH antisense RNA 1 (DBH-AS1)’s expression and clinical role in both conditions. This study recruited 128 subjects with obesity, of whom 46 had MetS. Serum DBH-AS1 levels were measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Pearson correlation analysis assessed the link between DBH-AS1 and clinical parameters. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve assesses the diagnostic efficacy of DBH-AS1 for obesity and its discriminatory ability for obesity-MetS. Logistic regression pinpoints risk factors affecting the progression of MetS. Bioinformatics analysis predicted potential downstream target miRNAs of DBH-AS1, which were subsequently confirmed by Dual luciferase reporter (DLR) and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiments. Serum levels of DBH-AS1 are markedly decreased in obese individuals, with an even greater reduction in those with MetS. Moreover, serum DBH-AS1 shows a negative correlation with both body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference in obese patients. Furthermore, DBH-AS1 can differentiate obese individuals from controls. It’s linked to the HOMA-IR, waist circumference, and other potential risk factors for MetS in obese patients. DBH-AS1 expression shows 80.043% sensitivity and 81.49% for identifying MetS among obese individuals. Molecularly, miR-24-3p directly targets DBH-AS1 and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1B (CDKN1B). Lower serum DBH-AS1 levels not only act as a diagnostic indicator for obesity but are also associated with the presence of Mets and may contribute to obesity progression via miR-24-3p/CDKN1B.