MicroRNAs miR-29a-3p and miR-192-5p: promising urinary biomarkers for kidney function loss

This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-29a-3p and miR-192-5p in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) with diabetic kidney disease (DKD) compared to those without DKD.

This study included 29 patients with T1DM, comprising 13 without DKD (non-DKD group) and 16 with DKD, who were further subdivided into nine patients with moderate DKD and seven with severe DKD. MiR-29a-3p and miR-192-5p expression levels were measured in urine samples using qPCR and are presented as medians (25-75th percentiles).

miR-29a-3p levels were higher in patients with DKD compared to the non-DKD group [1.24 (0.97-1.74) versus 0.83 (0.72-0.99); P = 0.008]. Its expression showed a negative correlation with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (P = 0.007) and a positive correlation with creatinine levels (P = 0.004). MiR-192-5p levels were higher in patients with moderate DKD compared to the non-DKD group [2.15 (1.45-4.21) versus vs. 1.42 (0.98-2.45); P = 0.015], showing a negative correlation with eGFR (P = 0.003) and a positive correlation with creatinine (P = 0.006).

The differential expression of miR-29a-3p and miR-192-5p in DKD highlights their potential as promising biomarkers for this complication.