The intake of tomato juice and lycopene modulates expression of human plasma microRNAs: a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate biological responses by targeting specific mRNAs. Although miRNA expression is altered by diseases and lifestyle factors, the effects of food intake on miRNA expression in humans remain unclear. Here we investigated the effects of tomato juice (T) and lycopene contained in T on miRNA levels in humans. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial included 22 healthy Japanese individuals. Participants consumed either T or lycopene-deleted tomato juice (LDT) for 12 weeks, and their comprehensive plasma miRNAs were assessed using next-generation sequencing. The intake of T increased the expression of 14 miRNAs and decreased that of 21 miRNAs. Differential analysis between T and LDT revealed that lycopene contained in T increased the expression of three miRNAs, miR-28-5p, miR-128-3p, and miR-186-5p, and decreased the expression of two miRNAs, miR-197-3p and miR-92a-3p. These data provide the first evidence that tomato juice and lycopene intake may alter miRNA expression in humans.