Direct oral anticoagulants do not affect miR-27a-3p expression, a regulator of coagulation cascade, in atrial...

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Genetics
• Pharmacology

Background:

• MicroRNA-27a-3p (miR-27a-3p) is known to target proteins involved in the coagulation cascade.
• The impact of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) on miR-27a-3p expression and its subsequent effect on anticoagulation remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of DOAC therapy on miR-27a-3p expression in patients with atrial fibrillation.
• To explore potential correlations between miR-27a-3p expression and anticoagulation status or bleeding events.

Main Methods:

• Fifty-nine atrial fibrillation patients receiving rivaroxaban, apixaban, or dabigatran were enrolled.
• miR-27a-3p expression was quantified using TaqMan assays at baseline and after 7 days of DOAC treatment.
• Expression levels were compared between treatment groups, sexes, and bleeding cases versus controls.

Main Results:

• DOAC therapy did not significantly alter miR-27a-3p expression in the pooled patient population or in individual treatment groups.
• No significant difference in miR-27a-3p expression was observed between patients who experienced bleeding events and controls.
• A trend towards higher baseline miR-27a-3p expression in females was noted, with a subsequent decrease after DOAC treatment compared to males.

Conclusions:

• Treatment with common DOACs does not appear to affect miR-27a-3p expression in atrial fibrillation patients.
• Further research, including diverse ethnic groups, is warranted to fully understand the relationship between DOACs and miR-27a-3p.
• The role of miR-27a-3p in anticoagulation and its modulation by DOACs requires additional investigation.