{Reference Type}: Journal Article
{Title}: Circulating miRNA-21 is an innovative biomarker for cardiovascular events in erectile dysfunction patients.
{Author}: Agulló L;Segura A;Ortuño-Miquel S;Brinca AT;Micol-Ponce R;Arrarte V;Ponce MR;Miró-Martínez P;Zandonai T;Peiró AM;
{Journal}: Front Cardiovasc Med
{Volume}: 11
{Issue}: 0
{Year}: 2024
{Factor}: 5.846
{DOI}: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1301925
{Abstract}: <B>UNASSIGNED: </B>It is well-known that circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) play a relevant role in many kinds of diseases by regulating the expression of genes involved in various pathophysiologic processes, including erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD).<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>This study aimed to identify the miRNA-21 profile in the blood samples of patients with ED, CVD, and the combination of both pathologies to elucidate the potential function of miRNA-21.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A total of 45 patients with CVD and/or who underwent the erectile function test were included and divided into the following categories: CVD with ED (cases, n = 29) and controls (n = 16) with either ED or CVD. Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis verified the results. miRNA-21 expression was quantified, and informatics analysis was applied to predict the functions of this differentially expressed miRNA-21.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>A total of 64% of cases (63 ± 9 years, 66% with severe ED, 56% with CV ejection fraction) first presented ED as the sentinel clinical manifestation. Serum miRNA-21 levels in the control ED were significant, up to 10-fold higher than in the CVD controls and cases. A significant inverse (p = 0.0368, β = -2.046) correlation was found between erectile function and miRNA-21 levels.<BR><B>UNASSIGNED: </B>Our study provides comprehensive insights into the functional interaction between miRNA-21 and ED in CVD patients. Its relevance lies in the potential of miRNA as a biomarker to be applied in the cardiovascular predictive medicine field.