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Published on: December 9, 2022
Serum miR-181a-5p Serves as a Diagnostic Biomarker for Sepsis and Predicts Clinical Outcomes
Abstract:
MicroRNA (miRNA) shows promise as a biomarker for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis. In the present investigation, we examined the potential of miR-181a-5p as a clinical diagnostic and prognostic indicator for sepsis. This study enrolled 119 sepsis patients and 125 controls. Serum miR-181a-5p levels were assessed via RT-qPCR, revealing a significant upregulation in sepsis patients. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated miR-181a-5p could distinguish sepsis patients with 73.11% sensitivity and 89.60% specificity (AUC = 0.879). Pearson's analysis showed serum miR-181a-5p positively correlated with disease severity scores (APACHE II and SOFA), procalcitonin (PCT), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), malondialdehyde (MDA), and negative with glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis revealed that elevated serum miR-181a-5p levels were associated with a worse 28-day prognosis in sepsis patients (log-rank p = 0.022). In summary, this study identifies serum miR-181a-5p as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for sepsis, significantly linked to disease severity, inflammation, and oxidative stress, providing new avenues for sepsis management.
Insights
Serum miR-181a-5p shows potential as a biomarker for sepsis diagnosis and prognosis. Elevated levels indicate worse outcomes and correlate with disease severity and inflammation markers.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Clinical Diagnostics
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators in various biological processes.
- miRNAs show promise as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for infectious diseases, including sepsis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the diagnostic and prognostic value of serum miR-181a-5p in sepsis patients.
- To explore the correlation of miR-181a-5p with clinical severity and inflammatory markers in sepsis.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples were collected from 119 sepsis patients and 125 controls.
- Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to measure miR-181a-5p levels.
- Statistical analyses included ROC curve, Pearson's correlation, and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis.
Main Results:
- Serum miR-181a-5p was significantly upregulated in sepsis patients compared to controls.
- ROC analysis demonstrated good diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.879) with 73.11% sensitivity and 89.60% specificity.
- miR-181a-5p levels positively correlated with sepsis severity scores (APACHE II, SOFA), PCT, CRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MDA, and negatively with GSH-Px.
- Elevated miR-181a-5p was associated with poorer 28-day survival in sepsis patients (log-rank p=0.022).
Conclusions:
- Serum miR-181a-5p serves as a valuable diagnostic biomarker for sepsis.
- miR-181a-5p is a potential prognostic indicator, reflecting disease severity, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- These findings suggest miR-181a-5p could aid in sepsis management and therapeutic strategies.

