Circulating MiR-133a as a biomarker predicts cardiac hypertrophy in chronic hemodialysis patients.

• Main Authors: Ping Wen, Dan Song, Hong Ye, Xiaochun Wu, Lei Jiang, Bing Tang, Yang Zhou, Li Fang, Hongdi Cao, Weichun He, Yafang Yang, Chunsun Dai, Junwei Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-01-01
• Series: PLoS ONE
• Online Access: http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4196728?pdf=render

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small ribonucleotides regulating gene expression. MicroRNAs are present in the blood in a remarkably stable form and have emerged as potential diagnostic markers in patients with cardiovascular disease. Our study aimed to assess circulating miR-133a levels in MHD patients and the relation of miR-133a to cardiac hypertrophy. METHODS: We profiled miRNAs using RNA isolated from the plasma of participants. The results were validated in 64 MHD patients and 18 healthy controls. RESULTS: Levels of plasma miR-133a decreased in MHD patients with LVH compared with those in healthy controls. Plasma miR-133a concentrations were negatively correlated with LVMI and IVS. After single hemodialytic treatment, plasma miR-133a levels remained unchanged. Cardiac Troponin I and T were not associated with LVMI and IVS. CONCLUSIONS: Our observations supplied the possibility that circulating miR-133a could be a surrogate biomarker of cardiac hypertrophy in MHD patients.