Identification of the Potential Key Circular RNAs in Elderly Patients With Postoperative Cognitive Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Molecular Biology
• Genomics
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a severe complication impacting elderly patients' quality of life and survival.
• The molecular mechanisms and diagnostic biomarkers for POCD remain largely unknown.
• Circular RNAs (circRNAs), stable non-coding RNAs, are emerging biomarkers, but their role in POCD is unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate differentially expressed circRNAs in serum from POCD patients.
• To explore the potential role of circRNAs in POCD development.
• To identify potential circRNA-based biomarkers for POCD.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from POCD and non-POCD patients were analyzed using circRNA microarray.
• Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validated microarray findings.
• Bioinformatic analyses, including circRNA-miRNA-mRNA network construction and GO/KEGG pathway analysis, were performed.

Main Results:

• Microarray analysis identified 210 differentially expressed circRNAs (133 upregulated, 77 downregulated) in POCD patients.
• qRT-PCR confirmed differential expression of 10 circRNAs, with hsa_circRNA_001145, hsa_circRNA_101138, and hsa_circRNA_061570 showing the most significant changes.
• Gene Ontology and KEGG analyses indicated associations with nervous system development and MAPK/RAS signaling pathways.

Conclusions:

• This study reveals a distinct circRNA expression profile in POCD patients.
• Identified circRNAs represent potential diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers for POCD.
• Further research is warranted to explore the therapeutic potential of these circRNAs in POCD.