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Updated: Jul 4, 2026
Digital PCR for Quantifying Circulating MicroRNAs in Acute Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Disease
Published on: July 3, 2018
Diagnostic accuracy and post-reperfusion kinetics of serum miRNA-125b in hyperacute ischemic stroke: a prospective
Dilek Demir Kaya1, Huseyin Ergenc1, Adem Az2
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Health Sciences, Haseki Training and Research Hospital, Atatürk Street 54, Sultangazi/Istanbul, 34265, Türkiye.
Background:
The utility of circulating microRNAs as early diagnostic biomarkers in the hyperacute phase of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains under investigation.
Aims:
To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum miRNA-124 and miRNA-125b at emergency department (ED) admission and to characterize their dynamic changes following acute reperfusion therapy.
Methods:
This prospective, single-center, case-control study included adult patients with AIS in the hyperacute phase, defined as presentation within 6 h of symptom onset, who were treated with reperfusion therapy (intravenous thrombolysis and mechanical thrombectomy), along with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Serum samples were collected at baseline (pretreatment) and 24 h post-reperfusion, and miRNA levels were quantified using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results:
In total, 20 patients and 10 controls were included. At baseline, serum miRNA-125b levels were significantly elevated in AIS patients compared to controls (p < 0.001), demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy with an area under the curve of 0.910, 95.0% sensitivity, and 90.0% specificity. In contrast, miRNA-124 exhibited no significant difference (p = 0.266) and lacked discriminative value. At 24 h post-reperfusion, miRNA-125b levels exhibited a nonsignificant downward trend (p = 0.108). Neither miRNA correlated with baseline stroke severity (NIHSS) or early neurological status (mRS).
Conclusions:
Serum miRNA-125b showed promising preliminary diagnostic performance for AIS at ED admission. A single 24 h post-reperfusion measurement exhibited a nonsignificant decline in miRNA-125b and no association of miRNA with early stroke severity or functional outcome.
Insights
Serum miRNA-125b shows potential as an early diagnostic biomarker for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at emergency department admission. While levels were elevated in AIS patients, miRNA-124 lacked diagnostic value.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Neurology
Background:
- Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are being investigated as early diagnostic biomarkers for acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
- The utility of specific miRNAs in the hyperacute phase of AIS requires further evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the diagnostic accuracy of serum miRNA-124 and miRNA-125b in patients with AIS upon emergency department (ED) admission.
- To analyze the dynamic changes of these miRNAs after acute reperfusion therapy.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center, case-control study involving 20 AIS patients (within 6 hours of symptom onset, treated with reperfusion therapy) and 10 healthy controls.
- Serum samples collected at baseline and 24 hours post-reperfusion.
- Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for miRNA quantification and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for diagnostic performance.
Main Results:
- Serum miRNA-125b was significantly elevated in AIS patients versus controls (AUC=0.910, 95.0% sensitivity, 90.0% specificity).
- miRNA-124 showed no significant difference or discriminative value between groups (p=0.266).
- miRNA-125b levels showed a nonsignificant downward trend 24 hours post-reperfusion (p=0.108) and did not correlate with stroke severity (NIHSS) or early functional outcome (mRS).
Conclusions:
- Serum miRNA-125b demonstrates promising preliminary diagnostic performance for AIS at ED admission.
- Post-reperfusion miRNA-125b levels showed a nonsignificant decline and no association with early stroke severity or outcomes.
