Circulating Liver-Enriched miR-122 in COVID-19 Patients: A Longitudinal Real-Life Study.
Abnormal liver function tests are frequently reported in patients with COVID-19. This study aimed to identify potential treatment-associated hepatocellular injury in COVID-19 patients by dynamically assessing circulating miR-122, a biomarker with high hepatic specificity and sensitivity. An exploratory approach was additionally used, given the limited evidence regarding factors influencing miR-122 expression in this setting. We performed a prospective cohort study including 96 adult participants enrolled at a tertiary hospital in Bucharest, Romania, between March 2022 and July 2023: 78 COVID-19 patients (57 with baseline and follow-up miR-122 assessment after 5 days of treatment and 21 with a single measurement) and 18 non-COVID-19 participants included for comparison. Plasma miR-122 levels were measured using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, normalized to U6 small nuclear RNA, and expressed as log10(2-ΔCt). No associations were observed between miR-122 expression and remdesivir administered for standard treatment durations (3-5 days) or other COVID-19-specific therapies. However, a duration-dependent relationship with remdesivir cannot be excluded. Moreover, therapeutic paracetamol use prior to presentation was positively associated with miR-122 expression at follow-up and remained significant after adjustment. Additionally, bivariate analyses revealed inverse correlations between baseline miR-122 and inflammatory biomarkers, with multivariable analysis showing an independent positive association with lymphocyte count.
Authors
Mihai Mihai, Tilișcan Tilișcan, Iancu Iancu, Ganea Ganea, Adamescu Adamescu, Aramă Aramă, Arsene Arsene, Ruță Ruță, Aramă Aramă
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