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Background: Asymptomatic liver steatosis constitutes an emerging issue worldwide. Therefore, we decided to explore relationships between selected types of microRNAs (miRNAs), serological markers of liver fibrosis and hematological parameters in the course of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Methods: Two hundred and seven persons were included in the survey: 97 with NAFLD and 110 healthy controls. Serological concentrations of miR-126-3p, miR-197-3p, and miR-1-3p were measured in all participants. Direct indices of liver fibrosis [procollagen I carboxyterminal propeptide (PICP), procollagen III aminoterminal propeptide (PIIINP), platelet-derived growth factor AB (PDGF-AB), transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) and laminin] together with indirect markers (AAR, APRI, FIB-4 and GPR) were also evaluated. The assessment of hematological parameters concerned: mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), plateletcrit (PCT), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), MPV to platelet (PLT) ratio (MPR), RDW to PLT ratio (RPR), neutrophil to lymphocyte (LYM) ratio (NLR), PLT to LYM ratio (PLR) and RDW to LYM ratio (RLR). Additionally, the NAFLD fibrosis score and BARD score were applied. Results: The concentration of miR-126-3p and miR-1-3p was higher, and miR-197-3p was lower in the NAFLD group (p < 0.0001). miR-197-3p correlated notably with hematological indices: negatively with PDW (p < 0.05) and positively with PLR (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Significant correlations between miRNA molecules and hematological markers in the course of NAFLD indicate inflammation as a potential background and create new possibilities for a diagnostic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is essential to identify novel non-invasive markers of liver fibrosis for clinical and scientific purposes. Thus, the goal of our survey was to assess the serological expression of selected microRNAs (miRNAs) in patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis (ALC) and to correlate them with other existing markers. Methods: Two hundred and thirty-nine persons were enrolled in the study: one hundred and thirty-nine with ALC and one hundred healthy controls. Serological expression of miR-126-3p, miR-197-3p and miR-1-3p was evaluated in all participants. Direct markers of liver fibrosis (PICP, PIIINP, PDGF-AB, TGF-α and laminin) together with indirect indices (AAR, APRI, FIB-4 and GPR) were also assessed. The additional evaluation concerned hematological parameters: MPV, PDW, PCT, RDW, MPR, RPR NLR, PLR and RLR. Results: The expression of miR-197-3p was lower in ALC compared to controls (p < 0.0001). miR-126-3p correlated negatively with AST (p < 0.05) and positively with miR-197-3p (p < 0.001). miR-197-3p correlated with direct markers of liver fibrosis—positively with PDGF-AB (p < 0.005) and negatively with TGF-α (p < 0.01). Significant negative relationships were noticed between miR-1-3p and the number of neutrophils (p < 0.05), TGF-α (p < 0.05) and laminin (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The achieved results and observed correlations prove the potential involvement of the examined miRNAs in the process of liver fibrosis, giving a novel insight into the diagnostics of liver cirrhosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various laboratory parameters are commonly used to assess the efficacy of biological treatment (BT). The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between platelet (PLT) indices: (mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW)), C-reactive protein (CRP) and endoscopic picture in the course of infliximab induction regimen in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The study enrolled 46 patients with UC – 32 men and 16 women. They were administered infliximab (standard induction therapy). Laboratory tests (CRP and PLT indices) and colonoscopy were performed in all patients during the induction regimen – at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and in follow-up six weeks after the completion of induction therapy. The study revealed a statistically significant decrease in CRP and PLT, and an increase in MPV, together with improvement of endoscopic picture (p

SIRT6 is a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+)-dependent deacetylase, predominantly located in the nucleus, that is involved in the processes of histone modification, DNA repair, cell cycle regulation, and apoptosis. Disturbances in SIRT6 expression levels have been observed in the development and progression of various types of cancer. Therefore, it is important to better understand the role of SIRT6 in biochemical pathways and assign it specific biological functions. This review aims to summarize the role of SIRT6 in carcinogenesis and tumor development. A better understanding of the factors influencing SIRT6 expression and its biological role in carcinogenesis may help to develop novel anti-cancer therapeutic strategies. Moreover, we discuss the anti-cancer effects and mechanism of action of small molecule SIRT6 modulators (both activators and inhibitors) in different types of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The function of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) in the pathogenesis and development of cancer is indisputable. Molecular mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis involve the aberrant expression of ncRNAs, including circular RNAs (circRNAs), and microRNAs (miRNAs). CircRNAs are a class of single-stranded, covalently closed RNAs responsible for maintaining cellular homeostasis through their diverse functions. As a part of the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNAs) network, they play a central role in the regulation of accessibility of miRNAs to their mRNA targets. The interplay between these molecular players is based on the primary role of circRNAs that act as miRNAs sponges, and the circRNA/miRNA imbalance plays a central role in different pathologies including cancer. Herein, we present the latest state of knowledge about interactions between circRNAs and miR-141, a well-known member of the miR-200 family, in malignant transformation, with emphasis on the biological role of circRNA/miR-141/mRNA networks as a future target for novel anti-cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) are at risk of developing pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To the best of our knowledge, there are no suitable non‑invasive biomarkers for differentiation between CP and PDAC; however, potential molecular candidates include circulating miRNAs due to ease of extraction, their stability and tissue speci‑ ficity. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify potential serum marker(s) that may be used for differentiating between CP and PDAC. In total, 77 patients were enrolled in the present study; 34 patients with CP, 26 patients with PDAC and a control group of 17 healthy individuals. Expression of miR‑10b‑5p, miR‑106b‑5p, miR‑210‑3p and miR‑216a‑5p in serum was determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR. Serum miRNA expression levels in patients with CP, PDAC and in the control group were compared. Routine biochemical blood parameters were determined and correla‑ tion analysis of these parameters with miRNA expression was performed. Expression of miR‑210‑3p was increased in the sera of patients with PDAC compared with the CP patients (P=0.015) and with the control group (P<0.001). MiR‑106b‑5p (P=0.056) and miR‑10b‑5p (P=0.080) were not significantly upregulated in patients with PDAC compared with those with CP. Analysis of miRNA expression in relation to labora‑ tory blood parameters showed positive correlations between miR‑210‑3p with alkaline phosphatase (r=0.605; P=0.022) and with γ‑glutamyltranspeptidase (r=0.529; P=0.029) in PDAC. The novel finding of the present study was that miR‑10b‑5p was positively correlated with C‑reactive protein (r=0.429; P=0.047) in patients with PDAC and with carbohydrate antigen 19‑9 (r=0.483; P=0.005) in CP. Based on the preliminary data obtained in the present study, it was concluded that miR‑210‑3p may be used as a non‑invasive biomarker that can be used to distinguish between patients with PDAC and CP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various laboratory parameters are commonly used to assess the efficacy of biological treatment (BT). The aim of our study was to assess the correlation between platelet (PLT) indices: (mean platelet volume (MPV), plateletcrit (PCT), platelet distribution width (PDW)), C-reactive protein (CRP) and endoscopic picture in the course of infliximab induction regimen in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. The study enrolled 46 patients with UC -- 32 men and 16 women. They were administered infliximab (standard induction therapy). Laboratory tests (CRP and PLT indices) and colonoscopy were performed in all patients during the induction regimen -- at 0, 2, and 6 weeks and in follow-up six weeks after the completion of induction therapy. The study revealed a statistically significant decrease in CRP and PLT, and an increase in MPV, together with improvement of endoscopic picture (p <0.001) (MAYO score, MAYO endoscopic subscore) in all patients. PCT and PDW values remained in normal ranges before BT and after the finish of the induction regimen. PCT correlated positively with CRP before the introduction of BT (p = 0.018). In addition, positive correlations between PCT and PLT count were noticed before infliximab induction regimen and in follow-up after the finished of therapy (p <0.001). Additionally, a negative correlation between PLT count and MPV prior to the first dose of infliximab was observed (p=0.032). Our data suggest that PLT indices could be useful biomarkers for determining active UC and for assessing the efficacy of BT. From what we know, this is the first survey devoted to PLT parameters in Polish patients with UC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]