Published Online:3 Apr 2013https://doi.org/10.2217/bmm.12.107
Abstract
Aim: Expression profiles indicate that miR-122 is specifically and abundantly expressed in liver. This study sought to determine miR-122 plasma concentrations in 15 apparently healthy subjects and 30 patients with liver disease, and clarify whether plasma miR-122 correlates with ALT. Materials & methods: miR-122 was measured by quantitative PCR in healthy volunteers and patients with liver disease. Results: ALT was increased in two out of 15 (13%) apparently healthy subjects and 17 out of 30 (57%) liver disease patients. In healthy subjects, median miR-122 plasma concentration was 51.7 copies/20 pg RNA (range 16.0–312.0). In liver disease patients, median miR-122 was significantly elevated to 202.3 copies/20 pg RNA (range 20.9–1160.0; Mann–Whitney test between median concentrations; p = 0.0016). Conclusion: This small proof-of-principle study suggests that miR-122 may be a potential plasma biomarker of liver damage.
Keywords:
Papers of special note have been highlighted as: ▪ of interest ▪▪ of considerable interest
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