Circulating miR-21 and eNOS in subclinical atherosclerosis in patients with hypertension. (17th November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cengiz, Mahir; Yavuzer, Serap; Kılıçkıran Avcı, Burçak; Yürüyen, Mehmet; Yavuzer, Hakan; Dikici, Süleyman Atilla; Karataş, Ömer Faruk; Özen, Mustafa; Uzun, Hafize; Öngen, Zeki
• Is Part Of: Clinical and experimental hypertension. Volume 37:Number 8(2015)
• Page Start: 643
• Page End: 649
• Publication Date: 2015-11-17
• Subjects: Carotid intima media thickness -- endothelial nitric oxide synthase -- hypertension -- microRNA-21 -- nitric oxide; Hypertension -- Chemotherapy -- Periodicals; Hypotensive agents -- Periodicals; 616.132
• DOI: 10.3109/10641963.2015.1036064
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1064-1963

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship of miR-21, nitric oxide (NO x ) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) with subclinical atherosclerosis in carotid arteries by measuring carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) in patients with hypertension and healthy controls. Design and Methods : A total of 28 hypertensive and 28 healthy controls were enrolled. MiR-21 expression was analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-PCR and NO x, and eNOS levels were measured by ELISA assay. CIMT was evaluated by ultrasonography and CIMT ≥ 0.8 mm was accepted as increased CIMT (iCIMT). Results : C-reactive protein (CRP) level, plasma miR-21 expression level and CIMT were found to be significantly higher in the hypertension group when compared to the control group ( p = 0.009, p = 0.002 and p < 0.001, respectively). NO x and eNOS levels were significantly lower in the hypertension group compared to the control group ( p < 0.001, both). MiR-21 level was positively correlated with the clinical systolic blood pressure, clinical diastolic blood pressure, CRP and CIMT. MiR-21 was also negatively correlated with NO x and eNOS. Eighteen patients with hypertension had iCIMT. MiR-21 and CRP levels were significantly higher ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001), whereas NO x and eNOS levels were significantly lower in patients with iCIMT ( p < 0.001, both). Conclusion : The decreased levels of NO x and eNOS found in this study indicate the co-existence of endothelial dysfunction and hypertension once more. In the absence of microalbuminuria, the increased miR-21 expression in patients with iCIMT made us conclude that this miRNA might be involved in the early stages of atherosclerotic process in hypertensive patients.