EXPRESSION OF MICRO-RNA 221 AND 223 IN ISCHEMIC STROKE DUE HYPERTENSIVE EMERGENCY

Abstract

Objective: Hypertensive crisis can account for damage on target organs characterizing hypertensive emergencies (HE). Ischemic Stroke (IS) is among these injuries. Expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is considered the possible factors related to HE. This study evaluated the association of expression of miRNAs 221 and 223 in patients suffering ischemic stroke due to HE. Design and method: Thirty and four patients with IS due to hypertensive emergency (IS-HE), 33 individuals with IS without HE (IS), 31 controlled hypertensive (CHT) and 33 normotensive (NT) individuals were studied. The expression of miRNAs 221 and 223 was performed by RT-q PCR (real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction). Results: Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were significantly higher in the IS-HE compared to IS, CHT and NT groups (162/99 mmHg vs 140/87, 128/69 and 129/82 mmHg, respectively; p <0.05). The miRNA-221 expression was higher in the IS-HE group compared to the IS, CHT and NT groups (4.23 vs 2.44, 1.35 and 1.05, respectively; p<0.0001). There was overexpression of miR-223 in the IS-HE and IS groups compared to CHT and NT groups (1.56 and 1.73 vs 0.13 and 0.66; p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study provides evidence of the miRNAs participation in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke due hypertensive emergency, thus assuring that the increased expression of miR-221 and miR-223 determines a greater chance of the individual presenting IS due HE. The miRNAs 221 and 223 are related to endothelial damage; thus, their overexpression shows the participation of endothelial dysfunction in cases of acute blood pressure elevation. FAPESP 2016/08203-6.