Overexpression of miR-126-5p in the serum of patients with systemic arterial hypertension is correlated with creatinine and platelets

Abstract

Background: Systemic arterial hypertension is a multicausal and multifactorial disease of high prevalence worldwide. The development, progression, and damage of target organs are associated not only with genetic and environmental factors, but also epigenetic factors, such as the regulation by microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs – including miRNA-1-3p, miRNA-21-5p and miRNA-126-5p have been described as potential biomarkers in hypertension, type 2 diabetes and obesity, but their role of in the development and progression of the disease has been little explored. In the present study, we analyzed the expression of these three miRNAs in the serum of hypertensive, diabetic and obese patients compared with a healthy group and correlated with clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods:Using RT-qPCR, the expression of miRNA-1-3p, miRNA-21-5p and miRNA-126-5p was analyzed in the serum of 50 participants, control (n = 8), hypertensive only (n = 21), hypertensive in association with diabetes and obesity (n = 21). Results:The expression of miRNA-126-5p was significantly high in the hypertensive group when compared to the control group (p= 0.0170), however there was no statistical difference when compared to the hypertensive, diabetic and obese group. MiRNA-1-3p and miRNA-21-5p showed no statistical differences between groups. The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation of miRNA-126-5p with creatinine and a negative correlation with platelets. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that miRNA-126-5p is overexpressed in the serum of hypertensive patients, and may have a potential as a biomarker of early target kidney injury.