Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs as a Promising Non-Invasive Tool to Trace Adiposity Capacity Following Obesity Surgery

Background/Aim: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) such as NEAT1, HULC, and MALAT1, which are expressed in adipose tissue, are known to play a role in regulating adiposity. However, how the plasma expression of these lncRNAs changes in obese patients following rapid adipose tissue loss after sleeve gastrectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between plasma NEAT1, HULC, and MALAT1 expression levels and short-term weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy. Materials and Methods: Plasma samples prospectively collected from patient groups were used for total RNA extraction to measure the expression levels of NEAT1, HULC, and MALAT1 both before sleeve gastrectomy and 30 days after the procedure. Additionally, patients were followed for changes in body mass index (BMI) and HbA1C levels over a 12-month period. Associations between lncRNA expression levels and clinical parameters were evaluated. Results: Before sleeve gastrectomy, the expression levels of NEAT1 and HULC were significantly higher in obese patients compared to non-obese individuals (p < 0.0001). Sleeve gastrectomy was associated with decreased expression levels of NEAT1 (p = 0.004) and HULC (p = 0.0027). NEAT1 and HULC expression levels showed significant associations with changes in HbA1C and BMI, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusions: NEAT1 and HULC expression levels were associated with short-term metabolic and anthropometric changes following sleeve gastrectomy. These findings are exploratory and hypothesis-generating, and further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to determine their potential clinical relevance.