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Circulating microRNA-146a and microRNA-146b exhibit potential to serve as markers for acute pancreatitis management
1Department of Intensive Care Unit, The Central Hospital of Wuhan, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China. lxylh0624@163.com.
Objective:
This study aimed to explore the association of microRNA(miR)-146a and miR-146b expressions with risk, severity, in-hospital death of acute pancreatitis (AP).
Patients And Methods:
50 severe AP (SAP) patients, 50 moderate-severe AP (MSAP) patients, 50 mild AP (MAP) patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected after the enrollment, then miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Ranson's score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as in-hospital mortality were assessed in AP patients.
Results:
Both miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were the highest in SAP patients, followed by MSAP patients, MAP patients and HCs. Meanwhile, they distinguished SAP, MSAP, MAP patients from HCs, and also distinguished SAP, MSAP and MAP patients from each other. In SAP, MSAP and MAP patients, MiR-146a positively correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score and CRP. Besides, miR-146b positively correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score and CRP in SAP patients; correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score and CRP in MSAP patients; and correlated with Ranson's score and SOFA score in MAP patients. Notably, miR-146a predicted increased in-hospital death risk of both SAP and MSAP patients, while miR-146b predicted raised in-hospital death risk of SAP patients but not MSAP patients.
Conclusions:
Circulating miR-146a and miR-146b exhibit potential as markers for AP management and prognosis.
Insights
MicroRNA (miR)-146a and miR-146b levels are elevated in acute pancreatitis (AP) patients, correlating with disease severity and predicting in-hospital death risk. These microRNAs show potential as biomarkers for AP management.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a serious inflammatory condition with variable severity.
- Biomarkers are needed for accurate diagnosis, severity assessment, and prognosis prediction in AP.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in inflammatory diseases and potential diagnostic/prognostic markers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between microRNA-146a (miR-146a) and microRNA-146b (miR-146b) expressions and the risk, severity, and in-hospital death of acute pancreatitis (AP).
- To evaluate the potential of circulating miR-146a and miR-146b as biomarkers for AP management and prognosis.
Main Methods:
- Plasma samples were collected from 50 severe AP (SAP), 50 moderate-severe AP (MSAP), 50 mild AP (MAP) patients, and 50 healthy controls (HCs).
- miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were quantified using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
- Clinical parameters including Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score, C-reactive protein (CRP), and in-hospital mortality were assessed.
Main Results:
- Both miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were significantly higher in AP patients (SAP > MSAP > MAP > HCs) and could distinguish between different severity groups and controls.
- miR-146a expression positively correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score, and CRP in all AP groups.
- miR-146b expression showed positive correlations with severity scores and CRP, with varying degrees across AP severity.
- miR-146a predicted increased in-hospital death risk in SAP and MSAP patients, while miR-146b predicted it in SAP patients.
Conclusions:
- Circulating miR-146a and miR-146b levels are significantly associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis.
- These microRNAs demonstrate potential as valuable biomarkers for predicting in-hospital mortality in AP patients.
- miR-146a and miR-146b may serve as useful tools for AP management and prognosis assessment.
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Assessment:
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