Abstract
In liver diseases, the interplay of different noncoding RNA expressions, and inflammatory biomarkers show high context dependencies. Interrelations between these noncoding RNA and inflammatory biomarkers paved the way for the diagnosis of various diseases. Here, we analyzed the expression of MALAT1, miR-181a in liver cirrhosis and a panel of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-17, SIRT1 and NF-Ƙβ p65). The association between all measured parameters was monitored. Fifty healthy volunteers with normal liver function, hepatic ultrasonography, and negative results for HCV and HBV participated in our study as a healthy control group. In addition, hundred and fifty patients with liver cirrhosis were included. Compared with healthy controls, miR-181a expression was significantly decreased (p < 0.01), while MALAT1 expression was significantly elevated (p < 0.01) in patients with liver cirrhosis. IL-17 and NF-ƘB p65 were significantly increased (p < 0.001), while SIRT1 was significantly decreased (p < 0.001) in cirrhotic patients compared to controls. Serum expression of SIRT1 significantly positively correlated with miR-181a and negatively associated with MALAT-1, NF-Ƙβ p65, and IL-17expression levels. Our results pointed to alterations in the expression levels of miR-181a, and MALAT1 could serve as biomarkers in cirrhotic patients. Reduction of IL-17 and NF-Ƙβ p65 in combination with an elevation of SIRT-1 might refer to the dual effects of miR-181a and MALAT1 in controlling inflammation in liver cirrhosis.