Circulating MicroRNA-146a and MicroRNA-146b Exhibit Potential to Serve As Markers for Acute Pancreatitis Management and Prognosis

Objective: This study aimed to explore the association of microRNA(miR)-146a and miR-146b expressions with risk, severity, in-hospital death of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Patients And Methods: 50 severe AP (SAP) patients, 50 moderate-severe AP (MSAP) patients, 50 mild AP (MAP) patients and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were enrolled. Plasma samples were collected after the enrollment, then miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were detected by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Ranson's score, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score, sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, C-reactive protein (CRP) as well as in-hospital mortality were assessed in AP patients.

Results: Both miR-146a and miR-146b expressions were the highest in SAP patients, followed by MSAP patients, MAP patients and HCs. Meanwhile, they distinguished SAP, MSAP, MAP patients from HCs, and also distinguished SAP, MSAP and MAP patients from each other. In SAP, MSAP and MAP patients, MiR-146a positively correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score and CRP. Besides, miR-146b positively correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score, SOFA score and CRP in SAP patients; correlated with Ranson's score, APACHE II score and CRP in MSAP patients; and correlated with Ranson's score and SOFA score in MAP patients. Notably, miR-146a predicted increased in-hospital death risk of both SAP and MSAP patients, while miR-146b predicted raised in-hospital death risk of SAP patients but not MSAP patients.

Conclusions: Circulating miR-146a and miR-146b exhibit potential as markers for AP management and prognosis.