Serum microRNA-210 levels in different groups of chronic hepatitis B patients.

Background: It has been reported that hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication can be suppressed by microRNA-210 (miR-210). However, whether serum miR-210 levels can serve as disease parameters in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) remains unclear.

Methods: Serum miR-210 levels were quantified in 115 CHB patients and 20 healthy controls by real-time PCR.

Results: We found that serum miR-210 levels can discriminate the different groups of CHB patients from healthy control (P<0.05), as well as patients with HBe antigen positive from those with HBe antigen negative (P<0.05). Serum miR-210 levels correlated with HBV DNA and HBs antigen (r=0.525, P<0.001 and r=0.348, P<0.001). Notably, inactive carrier patients with high (>3500 IU/mL) or low (<3500 IU/mL) levels of HBs antigen were differentiated by serum miR-210 levels (P<0.05). Moreover, serum miR-210 levels correlated with liver inflammatory activity markers including alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HAI score. However, there was no correlation of serum miR-210 levels with parameters of liver function including serum albumin, international normalized ratio and bilirubin, as well as the stages of liver fibrosis.

Conclusions: Serum miR-210 can be used as an indicator of HBV replication and translation, and a potential marker of necroinflammation in patients with CHB.