Effect of Serum miR-106a-5p on Vascular Calcification in Dialysis Patients

Vascular calcification (VC) represents a highly significant and independent risk factor associated with increased mortality in hemodialysis patients. This study aimed to investigate the potential clinical significance of microRNA (miR)-106a-5p in the pathogenesis of vascular VC. This study included 165 hemodialysis patients with VC and 90 hemodialysis patients without VC. The expression levels of miR-106a-5p were assessed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) technology. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels were determined via chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), while osteocalcin levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the diagnostic value of miR-106a-5p for VC was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify risk factors associated with VC. Advanced age, prolonged dialysis duration, elevated alkaline phosphatase levels, higher blood calcium concentrations, and increased inflammatory response [as indicated by higher C-reactive protein (CRP) levels] were potential risk factors for VC in dialysis patients. RT-qPCR revealed a significant reduction in miR-106a-5p expression in the VC patient group. Furthermore, as the severity of VC progressed from mild to moderate to severe, miR-106a-5p expression progressively decreased. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, CRP, and miR-106a-5p as significant predictors of VC. Additionally, PTH and osteocalcin levels were significantly higher in the VC group, with miR-106a-5p expression negatively correlated with PTH and osteocalcin levels. ROC curve analysis demonstrated that miR-106a-5p has diagnostic utility for VC. In conclusion, miR-106a-5p held potential as a diagnostic marker in the process of VC.