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Can MiR-503 be used as a marker in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke?
Saba Sheikhbahaei1, Danesh Manizheh2, Saadatnia Mohammad3
1Acquired Immunodeficiency Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Background:
Some microRNAs are involved in diabetes pathology and some are known to have role in stroke. MiR-503 causes endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients, predisposing to ischemia. There has been no study evaluating Mir-503 level in diabetic patients with or without ischemic stroke.
Methods:
We designed a cross-sectional study to assess and compare serum level of MiR-503 in 4 groups of diabetic patients with ischemic stroke (I), non-diabetic patients with stroke (II), diabetic patients (III), and healthy controls (IV) in acute phase and 3 months later.
Results:
Our data analysis showed that mean relative expression of MiR-503 in group (I) was significantly higher than 3 other groups (p < 0.05). The level of miR-503 was related to the patients' fasting blood glucose, Cholesterol level, NIHSS score and acute-phase modified Rankin Scale (mRS) (r = 0.49, p = 0.001, r = 0.5, p = 0.009, r = 0.45, p = 0.009, r = 0.48, p = 0.003, CI = 95%). Relative expression of miR in patients with mRS ≤ 2 (good outcome) was lower than in patients with mRS > 2 (poor outcome) (p = 0.008). After 3 months, level of miR decreased significantly only in group (I) (p = 0.002). Mean relative expression of miR-503 in chronic phase was not significantly different among groups (p-value> 0.05). There was no relation between miRNA level and mRS in chronic phase.
Conclusion:
Hyperglycemia and ischemia together raise the level of MiR-503 acutely but it does not remain at high level after 3 months. Although higher miR was related to more disability in acute phase, it does not affect long-term outcome in ischemic patients. As MiR-503 is stable enough in blood it can be used as a potential diagnostic marker of an ischemic stroke in diabetic patient. Its level also is an indicator of stroke severity and patients' short-term outcome. It is recommended to study whether antagomiR-503 is a new therapeutic agent reducing the severity of and disability due to stroke.
Insights
In diabetic patients with ischemic stroke, miR-503 levels are acutely elevated but normalize over time. Higher miR-503 indicates greater stroke severity and poorer short-term outcomes, suggesting its potential as a diagnostic marker.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play roles in diabetes and stroke pathology.
- MiR-503 is implicated in endothelial dysfunction in diabetic patients, increasing ischemia risk.
- No prior studies evaluated miR-503 levels in diabetic patients with or without ischemic stroke.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess and compare serum miR-503 levels in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke, non-diabetic patients with stroke, diabetic patients, and healthy controls.
- To investigate the relationship between miR-503 levels and stroke severity, glycemic control, lipid profiles, and short-term outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study design was employed.
- Serum miR-503 levels were measured in four groups: diabetic patients with ischemic stroke, non-diabetic patients with stroke, diabetic patients, and healthy controls.
- Measurements were taken during the acute phase and again 3 months later.
Main Results:
- Mean relative miR-503 expression was significantly higher in diabetic patients with ischemic stroke compared to the other three groups (p < 0.05).
- miR-503 levels correlated with fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, NIHSS score, and acute-phase modified Rankin Scale (mRS).
- Higher miR-503 levels were associated with poorer short-term outcomes (mRS > 2), but this association disappeared in the chronic phase. miR-503 levels decreased significantly in the ischemic stroke group after 3 months.
Conclusions:
- Hyperglycemia and ischemia synergistically increase acute miR-503 levels, which then decrease over time.
- While elevated miR-503 is linked to acute stroke severity and short-term disability in diabetics, it does not impact long-term outcomes.
- miR-503 shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for ischemic stroke in diabetic patients and an indicator of short-term prognosis.
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