Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to determine the mRNA expression levels of miR-146a-5p and X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) and HBV DNA and RNA.
Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), hepatitis B virus (HBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load, hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) titer, HBeAg titer, and plasma miR-146a were measured at 0, 24, 48, and 104 weeks of treatment.
Association between microRNA-196A2 and microRNA-146A polymorphisms and progression to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with viral hepatitis B.
However, the miR-146a GG genotype and G allele did not carry a significantly enhanced risk of HCC in either hepatitis-negative or HCV-infected subjects. miR-146a G>C polymorphisms appear to influence susceptibility to HCC, especially in HBV-infected patients.