Early diagnostic evaluation of miR-122 and miR-224 as biomarkers for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is one of the common lethal types of tumor all over the world.The lethality of HCC accounts for many reasons.One of them,the lack of reliable diagnostic markers at the early stage,in this context,serum miRNAs became promising diagnostic biomarkers.Herein,we aimed to identify the predictive value of two miRNAs(miR-122 and miR-224)in plasma of patients with HCC preceded by chronic HCV infection.Taqman miRNA assays specific for hsa-miR-122 and hsa-miR-224 were used to assess the expression levels of the chosen miRNAs in plasma samples collected from three groups;40 patients with HCC related to HCV,40 with CHC patients and 20 healthy volunteers.This study revealed that the mean plasma values of miRNA-122 were significantly lower among HCC group when compared to CHC and control groups(P<0.001).Whereas,miR-224 mean plasma values were significantly higher among HCC group when compared to both CHC group and control group.Moreover,it was found that miR-122 can predict development of HCC at cut-off value<0.67(RQ)and(AUC Z 0.98,P<0.001).As regards miR-224,it can predict development of HCC at cut-off value>1.2(RQ)and(AUC Z 0.93,P<0.001),while the accuracy of AFP to diagnose HCC was(AUC:0.619;P Z 0.06).In conclusion,the expression plasma of miR-122 and miR-224 could be used as noninvasive biomarkers for the early prediction of developing HCC at the early stage.

Evaluation of Biomarkers in Egyptian Patients with Different Grades of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background and Aims:Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a silent disease;its spectrum includes simple steatosis,nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and fibrosis.Pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines play roles in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and insulin resistance (IR).Moreover,plasma cell antigen-1 (PC-1) is related to IR and associated with NAFLD progression.Therefore,we aimed to detect biomarkers,ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings capable of differentiating NAFLD grades,since most previous investigators were concerned more with NAFLD patients without classifying them into grades.Methods:A total of 87 NAFLD patients (31 with grade 1 (mild NAFLD),26 with grade 2 (moderate NAFLD) and 30 with grade 3 (severe NAFLD) were included in the study,in addition to 47 controls (grade 0).All subjects underwent ultrasonographic examination for NAFLD diagnosis.Serum interleukin-10 (IL-10),plasma interleukin-18 (IL-18) and plasma PC-1 levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:Homoeostasis model assessment (HOMA)-IR was higher in different NAFLD grades than in controls.Ultrasonographic and anthropometric findings and lipid profile indices (except for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,which was decreased) were increased with NAFLD progression.Grade 3 patients showed significant increase in levels of IL-18 and significant decrease in IL-10 and PC-1 levels when compared to grade 1 patients.Conclusion:Anthropometric and ultrasonographic findings were valuable in differentiating NAFLD grades.IR is very important in NAFLD pathogenesis.IL-18,HOMA-index and PC-1 levels could be used to differentiate between NAFLD grades,together with other measurements.