OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the relationship between serum concentration of circulating microRNAs associated with vascular wall diseases (atherosclerosis and aortic aneurysm) and age, sex, smoking, type 2 diabetes mellitus, decreased glomerular filtration rate and intake of some drugs (blockers of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, statins, acetylsalicylic acid, anticoagulants).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study included 100 patients (67 with coronary artery atherosclerosis, 38 with chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm, 22 patients with both diseases, 17 patients without these diseases). Mean age was 63.1 years. Women comprised 57% of patients. We analyzed 15 circulating microRNAs: miR-21-5p, –3a-3p, –29b-3p, –92a-3p, –126-3p, –126-5p, –143-3p, –145-5p, –146a-5p, –150-5p, –181b-5p, –195-5p, –205-5p, –223-3p and –451a.

RESULTS

Serum circulating miRNAs were independent of age. MiR-126-3p were higher in males, whereas miR-205-5p and –143-3p were higher in females. No significant associations of circulating miRNA with smoking were demonstrated. MiR-21-5p and miR-29b-3p were significantly elevated in patients with diabetes mellitus compared to patients without diabetes mellitus. MiR-21-5p and –92a-3p were significantly increased in patients with decreased renal filtration function. Intake of ACE inhibitors did not significantly affect the concentrations of miRNAs. Intake of statins was associated with more than 2-fold decrease in miR-21-5p, –126-3p and –181b-5p. Patients taking acetylsalicylic acid had significantly lower serum miR-126-3p. Intake of anticoagulants did not affect expression of microRNAs.

CONCLUSION

The influence of many clinical and demographic factors on serum microRNAs was found.