Altered Expression in Patients with Heart Failure of Circulating MicroRNAs Related to Lipoprotein Metabolism

Objective: This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the expression of circulating miRNAs (microRNAs) related to lipoprotein metabolism in patients with HF (heart failure). Methods: Twenty patients with HF and 10 controls without HF were included. BNP (brain natriuretic peptide), a marker of HF severity, plasma lipid parameters and the expression of circulating miRNAs were determined. Key findings: Total, LDL-, non-HDL- and HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, and apo A-I did not differ between both groups, but apo B was lower in the HF group compared to controls (p = 0.007). In respect to miRNAs, miR-33a, miR-144, miR-125, miR-30c, miR-122, miR-26a, miR-185, miR-758 and miR-106b were higher, from ten- to 25-fold, and miR-10b was lower about 4-fold, in HF group compared to controls. In HF patients a negative correlation between miR-26a and BNP, the marker of disease severity, was found (r = -0.552; p = 0.041). Conclusions: Plasma levels of miRNAs involved in HDL and LDL metabolism regulation were strikingly changed in HF patients. The negative correlation between miR-26a and BNP values may suggest the possibility of the rise of a novel biomarker or therapeutic target in HF.