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Updated: Apr 22, 2026
Detection of microRNA Expression in Peritoneal Membrane of Rats Using Quantitative Real-time PCR
Published on: June 27, 2017
Independent effects of sham laparotomy and anesthesia on hepatic microRNA expression in rats
Wiebke Werner, Hannes Sallmon, Annekatrin Leder
1General, Visceral, and Transplantation Surgery, Experimental Surgery and Regenerative Medicine, Campus Virchow Klinikum, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany. nathanael.raschzok@charite.de.
Background:
Studies on liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy (PH) have identified several microRNAs (miRNAs) that show a regulated expression pattern. These studies involve major surgery to access the liver, which is known to have intrinsic effects on hepatic gene expression and may also affect miRNA screening results. We performed two-third PH or sham laparotomy (SL) in Wistar rats to investigate the effect of both procedures on miRNA expression in liver tissue and corresponding plasma samples by microarray and qRT-PCR analyses. As control groups, non-treated rats and rats undergoing anesthesia only were used.
Results:
We found that 49 out of 323 miRNAs (15%) were significantly deregulated after PH in liver tissue 12 to 48 hours postoperatively (>20% change), while 45 miRNAs (14%) were deregulated following SL. Out of these miRNAs, 10 miRNAs were similarly deregulated after PH and SL, while one miRNA showed opposite regulation. In plasma, miRNA upregulation was observed for miR-133a and miR-133b following PH and SL, whereas miR-100 and miR-466c were similarly downregulated following anesthesia and surgery.
Conclusions:
We show that miRNAs are indeed regulated by sham laparotomy and anesthesia in rats. These findings illustrate the critical need for finding appropriate control groups in experimental surgery.
Insights
Surgical procedures, including sham laparotomy, significantly alter microRNA (miRNA) expression in rat liver and plasma. Careful selection of control groups is essential for accurate miRNA research in experimental surgery.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Surgical Research
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show regulated expression during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy (PH).
- Major surgery can influence hepatic gene expression and miRNA screening results.
- Investigating the impact of surgical procedures on miRNA expression is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of partial hepatectomy (PH) and sham laparotomy (SL) on miRNA expression in rat liver and plasma.
- To determine the influence of anesthesia and surgical procedures on miRNA profiles.
- To highlight the importance of appropriate control groups in experimental surgery.
Main Methods:
- Performed two-third PH and SL in Wistar rats.
- Analyzed miRNA expression in liver tissue and plasma using microarray and qRT-PCR.
- Included non-treated rats and anesthesia-only groups as controls.
Main Results:
- Significant deregulation of 15% of miRNAs in liver tissue 12–48 hours post-PH.
- Similar deregulation of 14% of miRNAs observed after SL.
- 10 miRNAs were similarly deregulated by both PH and SL; one showed opposite regulation.
- Plasma showed upregulation of miR-133a/b and downregulation of miR-100/466c after PH and SL.
Conclusions:
- Sham laparotomy and anesthesia demonstrably regulate miRNA expression in rats.
- These findings underscore the critical need for appropriate control groups in experimental surgery.
- Accurate interpretation of miRNA expression data requires consideration of procedural effects.
