Investigation of a relationship between serum concentrations of microRNA-122 and alanine aminotransferase activity in hospitalised cats

• Published in: Journal of feline medicine and surgery 2022-08, Vol.24 (8), p.e289-e294
• Main Authors: Armstrong, Susan K, Oosthuyzen, Wilna, Gow, Adam G, Salavati Schmitz, Silke, Dear, James W, Mellanby, Richard J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alanine Transaminase; Animals; Biomarkers; Cat Diseases - diagnosis; Cats; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dogs; Liver Diseases - veterinary; MicroRNAs - genetics; Retrospective Studies; Short Communication
• ISSN: 1098-612X; 1532-2750; 1532-2750
• DOI: 10.1177/1098612X221100071

Objectives Current blood tests to diagnose feline liver diseases are suboptimal. Serum concentrations of microRNA (miR)-122 have been shown in humans, dogs and rodents to be a sensitive and specific biomarker for liver injury. To explore the potential diagnostic utility of measuring serum concentrations of miR-122 in cats, miR-122 was measured in a cohort of ill, hospitalised cats with known serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. Methods In this retrospective study, cats were grouped into those with an ALT activity within the reference interval (0–83 U/l; n = 38) and those with an abnormal ALT activity (>84 U/l; n = 25). Serum concentrations of miR-122 were measured by real-time quantitative PCR and the relationship between miR-122 and ALT was examined. Results miR-122 was significantly higher in the group with high ALT activity than the ALT group, within normal reference limits (P