MiRNA-21: a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of acute myocardial infraction

Myocardial infarction is the most important cause of death in cardiovascular patients. Recently, biomarkers play a key role in the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, including myocardial infarction. Several recent studies have suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs), including miR-21, play a pivotal role in acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Therefore, we aimed to investigate the expression levels of miR-21 in patients with AMI.

 A total of 73 patients with AMI and 73 healthy controls who were between 25 and 85 years old were enrolled in this study. Serum levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein- cholesterol, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), activities of creatine kinase, creatine kinase-MB, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, Prothrombin Time and Partial Thromboplastin Time were measured using commercial kits. The expression levels of miR-21 were measured by quantitative real time –polymerase chain reaction.

Serum levels of cardiac enzymes, including CPK, and CPK-MB, cTnI were significantly higher in the AMI group (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in, LDH, PT, and PTT levels between AMI and control group (P > 0.05). Plasma miR-21 levels in the AMI group was statistically higher than the control group (P < 0.05).

Data suggested that miR-21 can be used as a specific independent or complementary biomarker for AMI diagnosis. The current diagnostic method is proposed for the early diagnosis of heart disease, especially AMI.