Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the role of Mir-125b as a non-invasive biomarker in chronic hepatitis C. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 94 treatment-naï ve HCV-infected patients (mean age 49. 8  11. 5 years, 59. 6% females). Liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastography (TE) and the expression of Mir-125b in plasma was quantified by real-time PCR. Results: All patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b and had active viral replication, 42. 6% had significant cytolysis, and 73. 4% had increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) values. Significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measured by TE of > 7. 1 kPa) was present in 61. 7% of the patients. No significant associations were found between Mir-125b expression and baseline HCV viral load (P = 0. 56), IL28B polymorphisms (P = 0. 5), alpha-fetoprotein levels (P = 0. 27), and patients’ gender (P = 0. 13) or age (P = 0. 5). In a univariate analysis, the Mir-125b expression level was significantly correlated with ALT (P = 0. 001) and GGT levels (P < 0. 0001). An up-regulated expression of Mir-125b was found in plasma samples from patients with advanced liver fibrosis as compared to those with mild/moderate fibrosis [mean Mir-125b value = 0. 002 versus 0. 001 (P = 0. 02)]. In a multiple regression analysis, an upregulated Mir-125b expression level remained independently in association only with significant fibrosis and increased GGT level (P = 0. 026; R2 = 0. 242). Conclusions: An up-regulated Mir-125b expression might be an indicator of severe liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C, independent of the viral replication level. Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the role of Mir-125b as a non-invasive biomarker in chronic hepatitis C. Methods: An observational study was conducted on 94 treatment-naï ve HCV-infected patients (mean age 49. 8  11. 5 years, 59. 6% females). Liver fibrosis was assessed by transient elastography (TE) and the expression of Mir-125b in plasma was quantified by real-time PCR. Results: All patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b and had active viral replication, 42. 6% had significant cytolysis, and 73. 4% had increased serum gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) values. Significant fibrosis (liver stiffness measured by TE of > 7. 1 kPa) was present in 61. 7% of the patients. No significant associations were found between Mir-125b expression and baseline HCV viral load (P = 0. 56), IL28B polymorphisms (P = 0. 5), alpha-fetoprotein levels (P = 0. 27), and patients’ gender (P = 0. 13) or age (P = 0. 5). In a univariate analysis, the Mir-125b expression level was significantly correlated with ALT (P = 0. 001) and GGT levels (P < 0. 0001). An up-regulated expression of Mir-125b was found in plasma samples from patients with advanced liver fibrosis as compared to those with mild/moderate fibrosis [mean Mir-125b value = 0. 002 versus 0. 001 (P = 0. 02)]. In a multiple regression analysis, an upregulated Mir-125b expression level remained independently in association only with significant fibrosis and increased GGT level (P = 0. 026; R2 = 0. 242). Conclusions: An up-regulated Mir-125b expression might be an indicator of severe liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C, independent of the viral replication level.

Background and Objectives: The role of microRNAs (MirNAs) in tuberculosis infection is well established. As microRNAs are able to change expression profiles according to different conditions, they can be useful biomarkers. Iranians and Afghans with tuberculosis were studied for three immune-related MirNAs (Mir-let-7f, Mir-125a, and Mir-125b). Materials and Methods: A total of 60 Iranian and Afghan patients with active pulmonary TB were enrolled in the Pulmonary Department of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. Serum and sputum samples were collected simultaneously from all participants. A Real-time PCR was conducted to detect differentially expressed MirNAs. Results: Iranian (P<0. 0001) and Afghan (P<0. 0001) serum samples and Afghan (P<0. 0001) sputum samples overexpressed Mir-125a, whereas Iranian sputum samples showed downregulation (P=0. 0039). In both Iranian (P<0. 0001, P=0. 0007) and Afghan (P<0. 0001, P<0. 0001) serum and sputum samples, Mir-125b was overexpressed. Furthermore, Mir-let-7f downregulation was observed in serum and sputum samples (P<0. 0001), whereas Iranian sputum samples had no statistically significant differences (P=0. 348). Conclusion: Overexpression of Mir-125a and Mir-125b has been detected in Iranian and Afghan samples. In both races, Mir-let-7f downregulation has been confirmed. Identification of MirNA profiles under different conditions opens the door to evaluating potential new biomarkers for diagnosis, disease monitoring, and therapeutic markers in TB infection.

Purpose: Alzhеimеr’s disеasе (AD) is thе most prеvalеnt form of dеmеntia globally. Rеsеarch links thе incrеasе of rеactivе oxidativе spеciеs (ROS) to thе pathogеnеsis of AD; thus, this study invеstigatеd thе impact of mеthylglyoxal (MGO) on thе еxprеssion of Mir-125b, Mir-107, and gеnеs involvеd in oxidativе strеss signaling in SH-SY5Y cеlls. Methods: Thе MTT assay assеssеd MGO’s еffеcts on SH-SY5Y viability. Mir-125b and Mir-107 еxprеssion was analyzеd via rеal-timе PCR. Additionally, thе Human Oxidativе Strеss Pathway Plus RT2 Profilеr PCR array quantifiеd oxidativе pathway gеnе еxprеssion. Results: MGO concеntrations undеr 700μM did not significantly rеducе SH–SY5Y viability. Mir-125b and Mir-107 еxprеssion in SH-SY5Y cеlls incrеasеd and dеcrеasеd rеspеctivеly (P<0.05). Cеlls trеatеd with 700μM MGO еxhibitеd incrеasеd CCS, CYBB, PRDX3, SPINK1, CYGB, DHCR24 and BAG2 еxprеssion (P<0.05). Thosе trеatеd with 1400μM MGO showеd incrеasеd CCS, CYBB, PRDX3, SPINK1, DUSP1, EPHX2, EPX, FOXM1, and GPX3 еxprеssion (P<0.05). Conclusion: MGO altеrs oxidativе strеss pathway gеnе, Mir-125b, and Mir-107 еxprеssion in SH-SY5Y cеlls. Targеting MGO or Mir-125b and Mir-107 may providе novеl AD thеrapеutic stratеgiеs or improvе sеvеrе symptoms. Furthеr rеsеarch should еlucidatе thе prеcisе mеchanisms.

Objective (s): Mir‐125b has been identified as a tumor suppressor in many tumors, but its role in giant cell tumor (GCT) of bone remains poorly understood. The current study aimed to investigate the potential role and mechanism of Mir‐125b in GCT.Materials and Methods: Expression levels of Mir‐125b in GCT tissues were determined using RT‐PCR.The cell proliferation was surveyed by direct cell counting, MTS and CCK‐8, and the apoptotic cells were evaluated by Annexin V‐FITC and propidium iodine staining assay. The target gene expression was determined using RT‐PCR and western blot. Parathyroid hormone 1 receptor (PTH1R) 3’‐UTR was cloned into luciferase reporter plasmid to confirm direct targeting.Results: We found that Mir‐125b was significantly down‐regulated in GCT tissues. Using both gainand loss‐of‐function analyses, we further revealed that Mir‐125b suppressed GCT stromal cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Furthermore, we revealed that PTH/PTHrP type 1 receptor is a direct and functional target of Mir‐125b.Conclusion: Our results suggest that Mir‐125b acts as a tumor suppressor through suppression of the PTH1R/RANKL signaling pathway. These findings contribute to our understanding of the functions of Mir‐125b in GCT.

Background: Laryngocarcinoma is the most frequent head and neck malignant tumor. MALAT1 have a role in promoting cell proliferation and metastasis in several tumors. This research aimed to investigate the great roles of MALAT1in laryngocarcinoma. Methods: Overall, 54 cases of laryngocarcinoma tissues pathological specimens and paracancerous tissues were collected by surgical resection from the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the Shandong Provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, China from Jan 2012 to Oct 2015. The mi-croRNA and protein levels of genes were evaluated by RT-qPCR and western blot. The proliferative and inva-sive ability were calculated usingCCK8 and transwell assays. Kaplan-Meier method was used to assess the sur-vival of laryngocarcinoma patients. Results: In laryngocarcinoma tissues and cells, lncRNA MALAT1 expression was significantly increased com-pared to normal tissues and cells. LncRNA MALAT1 promotes proliferation and migration of laryngocarci-noma cells. LncRNA MALAT1 upregulates HMGA1 expression by acting as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for Mir-125b. Rescue experiments showed that microRNA-125b inhibitor reversed the change in cell viability and invasion induced by sh-MALAT1. Down regulation of lncRNA MALAT1 inhibits laryngocarci-noma proliferation and invasion by modulating Mir-125b /HMGA1. Conclusion: LncRNA MALAT1 promotes the development of laryngocarcinoma by regulating the expression level of HMGA1 by acting as a Mir-125b ceRNA and may be considered as a new strategy for the develop-ment of laryngocarcinoma.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is an inflammatory disease linked to vascular events, with dysregulation of microRNA (Mir)-125b, contributing to cardiovascular disease pathogenesis. Moreover, there is evidence of the involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) in AS. This study aimed to survey the expression levels of Mir-125b, STAT3, and SIRT6 in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AS patients and controls, and to find their correlations with biochemical parameters and risk factors. Methods: This study included blood samples from 45 controls and 45 AS patients, with PBMCs isolated using Ficoll solution. Expression levels of Mir-125b, STAT3, and SIRT6 were determined via quantitative Real Time-PCR. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in Mir-125b levels in patients compared to controls (P = 0.017). However, alterations in STAT3 and SIRT6 expression were not significant (P> 0.05). There was no substantial relationship between Mir-125b and STAT3 (P = 0.522) or SIRT6 (P = 0.88). Mir-125b showed a significant relationship with atherogenic indexes and creatinine (P<0.05), while the association of SIRT6 with HDL and creatinine was significant (P<0.05). STAT3 exhibited high diagnostic power for identifying individuals at risk of heart disease and hypertension (P<0.05). Conclusions: STAT3 can serve as a valuable biomarker for detecting AS and AS-related risk factors. Mir-125b and SIRT6 may be associated with AS lipid metabolism. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are recommended to mechanistically elucidate the association of these genes. Keywords: Atherosclerosis, MicroRNA-125b, STAT3, SIRT6, Leukocyte.