Introduction:
MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules, which possess the potential to become biomarkers for several cardiac diseases. Investigations of microRNAs, associated with cardiac damage in children and young patients with beta-thalassemia major, would contribute to a better understanding of their role in commonly occurring cardiac complications, as well as examine the possibility of being used as diagnostic markers.
Aim:
The present study is aimed at investigating the expression of specific microRNAs associated with cardiac damage in children and young adults with beta-thalassemia major, as well as at comparing the results with the cardiac function in the examined subjects.
Patients and Methods:
The design of the study was prospective and included 50 subjects of whom 27 patients were with beta-thalassemia major (13 girls and 14 boys) at an average age of 15.14 years, and 23 healthy controls matched for sex and age. The average patient age was 15.14 years (between 5 and 24 years), and the average healthy control’s age was 16.1 years (between 6 and 23 years). From all of the subjects, the relative quantity of 5 microRNAs in blood serum was determined via RT-qPCR. A thorough echocardiographic examination was performed to evaluate cardiac function.
Results:
Five specific types of microRNAs, associated with acute cardiac damage, cardiac fibrosis, and remodeling, were studied. The results showed that hsa-miR-30a-5p is significantly downregulated, and hsa-miR-150-5p is upregulated in patients with beta-thalassemia major, in comparison to healthy controls.
Conclusion:
The upregulation of hsa-miR-30a-5p in patients with beta-thalassemia major could be a prognostic marker for a future cardiac injury that is not yet clinically manifested. The different expression pattern of hsa-miR-150-5p is more likely to be associated with the disease itself.
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