Evaluation of MicroRNA-122 as A Non-invasive Diagnostic Biomarker For Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and NASH related Cirrhosis

Abstract Background Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common causes of chronic liver disease worldwide. NAFLD is considered to represent the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. NAFLD was traditionally considered as a relatively benign liver disease. However, some patients with NAFLD progress to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma 8-13. Therefore, the precise diagnosis and staging of NAFLD patients is clinically important. Liver biopsy is the gold standard for the evaluation of NAFLD patients in terms of staging. However, liver biopsy is an invasive technique, and the identification of noninvasive biomarkers is required. Objective To assess the value of MicroRNA-122 as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosis of NAFLD and NASH related Cirrhosis. Patients and Methods In the present study, we assess the value of MicroRNA-122 as a noninvasive biomarker for diagnosis of NAFLD and NASH related Cirrhosis. Gastroenterology and Hepatology outpatient clinic at: Ain Shams University Hospitals, Shebin El-Kom Teaching Hospital, Kafr Elsheikh University Hospitals. Clinical Pathology department at Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University. Results Patients with NASH had higher NAFLD score than patients with NAFLD than normal control. Patients with NASH had significantly higher frequency of upregulated miRNA-22. Patients with NASH had higher miRNA 122 expression than normal controls and patients with NAFLD. Likewise, patients with NAFLD had higher miRNA 122 expression than normal controls. The miRNA 122 was a significant discriminator of NAFLD and NASH with a sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 82% for NAFLD and a sensitivity of 91% and specificity of 86% for the NASH. Conclusion miRNA-122 is a sensitive and specific biomarker in the early detection of NAFLD and NASH as they are linked to the lipid metabolism reducing the need for liver biopsy. NAFLD fibrosis score had high sensitivity in differentiating the NAFLD groups from the control group and in differentiating the steatosis group from the NASH group. Serum levels of miRNA-122 were positively correlated with BMI, ALT and AST.