Added Sugar Intake Is Associated with Altered Plasma miR-143-5p and miR-223-3p Expression and Fasting Glucose Concentrations in Children from Mexico City

Background: Childhood obesity is a growing health concern and added sugar intake has been associated with increased obesity risk. Emerging evidence suggests that miR-143-5p and miR-223-3p are involved in metabolic regulation. Therefore, this study evaluated their plasma expression according to added sugar intake and their association with cardiometabolic risk parameters. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 91 children aged 6 to 12 years were included (44 normal weight and 47 with overweight/obesity). Anthropometric, and clinical parameters, and dietary added sugar consumption were analyzed. RT-qPCR was performed to assess the expression of miR-143-5p and miR-223-3p in plasma. Results: Compared with low added sugar intake, high added sugar intake was associated with lower plasma miR-143-5p expression and higher miR-223-3p expression. Both miR-143-5p and miR-223-3p expression levels were higher in children with overweight/obesity and insulin resistance than in their respective counterparts. In adjusted analyses, neither miRNA was associated with cardiometabolic risk parameters. However, added sugar intake was positively associated with miR-223-3p expression (β = 0.188, 95% CI: 0.022, 0.354) and glucose levels (β = 1.944, 95% CI: 0.133, 3.755). Conclusions: High added sugar intake was associated with lower miR-143-5p expression, higher miR-223-3p expression, and increased fasting glucose concentrations in school-aged children, suggesting early alterations in metabolic regulation.