Evaluation of the diagnostic value of microRNA143b for osteoporosis

Objective: Osteoporosis has become a threat to patients’ health. The search for reliable biomarkers for the diagnosis of osteoporosis is of important clinical significance. microRNAs are involved in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes. The current study aimed to investigate the potential diagnostic value of microRNA143b for early osteoporosis. Patients and Methods: This study included 156 osteoporosis patients (69 mild osteoporosis and 87 severe osteoporosis) who were treated. Sixty-nine healthy volunteers were used as controls. Patients were given alendronate hydroxyethyl (5 mg/d) for 2 w. Normal Bone Mineral Density (BMD) is considered effective treatment. The microRNA143b level in blood cells was determined by quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR) before and after the treatment. The association between microRNA143b level and osteoporosis was analysed by Pearson’s correlation test. Results: The microRNA143b level in osteoporosis patients was significantly higher compared with healthy controls (P=0.0017). The post-treatment microRNA143b expression in osteoporosis patients was significantly reduced to a level close to that in control group (P=0.45). Moreover, microRNA143b level in severe osteoporosis was significantly higher compared with mild osteoporosis (P=0.0072). The microRNA143b level in blood cells was positively correlated with the severity of osteoporosis (r=0.91, P=0.011). Conclusion: MicroRNA143b expression is closely associated with the severity of osteoporosis, and might be a specific biomarker for the disease