Both miRNA-122, in distinguishing NAFLD from healthy controls, and miRNA-34a, in distinguishing NASH from NAFL, showed moderate diagnostic accuracy. miRNA-122 was upregulated in every scenario of NAFL, NASH and fibrosis.
MicroRNA profiling in two independent cohorts of animals validated the up-regulation of 6 microRNAs (miR-122, miR-192, miR-21, miR-29a, miR-34a and miR-505) in NASH mice, which was designated as the circulating microRNA signature for NASH.
Liver miR-122 expression was 10-fold (p<0.03) downregulated in NASH compared with SS and was preferentially expressed at the edge of lipid-laden hepatocytes.
These results suggest that silencing of miR-122 is an early event during hepatocarcinogenesis from NASH, and that miR-122 could be a novel molecular marker for evaluating the risk of HCC in patients with NASH.
Plant-derived polyphenols regulate expression of miRNA paralogs miR-103/107 and miR-122 and prevent diet-induced fatty liver disease in hyperlipidemic mice.