Serum MicroRNA-126-3p and Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor for Vision Threatening Diabetic Retinopathy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Doi: 10.36351/pjo.v40i4.1823

Abstract

Purpose:  To investigate the precise function of miRNA-126-3p in controlling the expression of the VEGF gene and the signalling cascade that it is linked to in patients with type 2 diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Study Design:  Cross-sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Prof Ngoerah General Hospital as a tertiary hospital in Bali, Indonesia from January-April 2022

Methods:  This study involved 35 vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR) and 30 non-VTDR patients of type 2 DM. After diagnosis of DR by vitreoretinal specialist, blood samples were drawn. Real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were performed to examine miRNA-126-3p and ELISA to detect VEGF. Continuous data were analyzed using median (minimum-maximum range) and categorical data were analyzed using percentages. The statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS for Windows version 25.0.Thedifference and relationship between the proportions were tested by the Chi-square test and logistic regression test.

Results:  In case group, there were 23 subjects (65.7%) with low serum miRNA-126-3p expression, while in the control group, there were 7 subjects (23.3%) with low serum miRNA-126-3p expression (OR=6.3; 95% CI 2.1-18.86). In the case group, 20 individuals (57.1%) had high serum VEGF levels of 71.6 ng/L, whereas in the control group, there were 6 individuals (20.0%) with high serum VEGF levels. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (OR=5.33; 95% CI 1.75-16.3).

Conclusion:  The miRNA-126-3p expression and serum VEGF levels are the risk factors for VTDR development in patients with type 2 diabetes.