Circulating microRNAs in serum as novel biomarkers for osteoporosis: a case-control study. (September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shuai, Yi; Liao, Li; Su, Xiaoxia; Sha, Nanxi; Li, Xiaobo; Wu, Yutao; Jing, Huan; Kuang, Huijuan; Deng, Zhihong; Li, Yongqi; Jin, Yan
• Is Part Of: Therapeutic advances in musculoskeletal disease. Volume 12(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-09
• Subjects: biomarker -- case-control study -- circulating miRNA -- osteoporosis; Musculoskeletal system -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Musculoskeletal Diseases -- Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.1177/1759720X20953331
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1759-720X

Abstract

Aims: Osteoporosis is underdiagnosed because of the lack of a convenient diagnostic method. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) emerge as novel biomarkers for disease diagnosis. Here, we conducted a case-control study that included a total of 448 serum samples collected from 182 healthy participants, 132 osteopenia participants, and 134 osteoporosis patients. Methods: Circulating miRNAs dysregulated during osteoporosis were screened and analyzed in three randomly determined sub-cohorts: the discovery cohort identified 22 candidate miRNAs; the training cohort tested the candidate miRNAs and constructed Index 1, comprising five miRNAs by logistic regression, and Index 2, comprising four miRNAs, was developed by linear combination. Results: Both indices were tested in the validation cohort and showed statistically significant results in distinguishing osteoporosis patients from healthy and osteopenic patients. Moreover, Index 1 also showed improved performance over traditional bone turnover biomarkers type I pro-collagen (tPINP) and type I collagen (β-CTx). Conclusion: In conclusion, circulating miRNAs are potential biomarkers for osteoporosis. The diagnostic panel of circulating miRNAs could be a complementary method for dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in mass screening and routine examination to enhance the osteoporosis detection rate.