MiR-33 may be a Biological Marker for Coronary Heart Disease

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and specific role of miR-33 in the progression of coronary heart disease (CAD), thereby evaluating their diagnostic ability and use in treatment in CAD patients.

Real time PCR was carried out to explore the level of miR-33 in the plasma of CAD patients and controls. ELISA was performed to analyze the level of placenta growth factor fragment (PLGF). Correlations between miR-33 and PLGF as well as other biochemical parameters were performed with Pearson's correlation analysis.

First, we evaluated the level of plasma miR-33 in CAD patients and healthy controls. Compared with the control group, the level of plasma miR-33 was significantly increased in CAD patients. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation assay showed that plasma miR-33 positively correlated with the Gensini score (r = 0.354, p = 0.003). Meanwhile, plasma miR-33 was significantly enhanced in CAD patients with single- (1 ± 0.48), double- (1.85 ± 0.687), and triple-vessel disease (2.35 ± 0.87). In addition, Spearman's correlation assay demonstrated that plasma miR-33 positively correlated with plasma PLGF level (r = 0.354, p = 0.003). Lastly, ROC analysis showed that plasma miR-33 could screen CAD patients from healthy controls.

In summary, we showed novel data that enhanced plasma miR-33 may promote the progression of CAD. Furthermore, plasma miR-33 could be used as a potential non-invasive biomarker for CAD patients, which may shed light on the diagnosis and therapy of CAD.