Abstract
New epigenetic markers are being studied in various countries around the world to diagnose, predict, and treat the patients with chronic viral hepatitis C. Epigenetics is currently studying the hereditary changes in gene expression or phenotype that are not related to the changes in DNA sequence. One field of epigenetics is the expression of RNA that does not encode a protein, namely miRNA, which is a molecule 18−22 nucleotides in length that plays a crucial role in regulating gene expression. Circulating miRNAs are a new genetic material that can be isolated from a patient's blood. The expression level of a particular miRNA has different biological and clinical effects. By means of its determination in various miRNAs it is possible to predict development of diseases. In order to study the baseline expression of miRNA−122 in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with the first HCV genotype, 74 patients were examined. Diagnosis and monitoring of the patients was performed according to the local protocols and bioethical standards. The level of miRNA−122 expression in patients with chronic viral hepatitis C with the first HCV genotype was established by reverse transcription. Studies show that the level of miRNA−122 expression in the patients with HCV and healthy individuals showed significant variability. The obtained data indicate that the expression level of miRNA−122 in patients is 29 times higher than in healthy individuals at p = 0.0001 (U; Z). This can be an additional biomarker as an index of the presence of chronic viral hepatitis C and can be further used in practice. Therefore, the high level of miRNA−122 expression in subjects (≥ 8.771 rel. units (Log10 miR−122 ≥ 0.939 rel. units)) may be the basis for further screening of patients for HCV infection. The prospects of using this index, which will allow to personalize the diagnosis and treatment tactics for patients, that, in turn, will contribute to the implementation of the WHO global strategy for the elimination of viral hepatitis. Key words: chronic viral hepatitis C, miRNA−122, elimination of viral hepatitis, biological marker.
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