Differential Expression of Let-7 MicroRNA in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: Possible Potential for Early Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) and its numerous consequences significantly reduce the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.

Objectives: This study investigated the differential expression of let-7 microRNA between CAD patients and healthy peers, which can be used as an early diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive tool.

Methods: In this case-control study, participants were selected through convenient sampling and categorized into CAD-positive (n = 25) and CAD-negative (n = 25) groups. Blood samples were obtained, and the level of let-7 miRNA was measured. Various other parameters, including demographic variables, blood pressure, and results of routine blood tests besides smoking status, educational level, overweight, diabetes status, and history of coronary atherosclerosis, were recorded. Familial history of hypertension, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and sudden death were also registered. Different statistical methods including independent sample t, Mann-Whitney, and chi-squared tests were used to compare variables. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results: Patients with CAD were older, with a higher frequency of the male sex. Fasting blood sugar (P = 0.002), triglyceride (P < 0.001), HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.038), triglyceride-glucose index (P < 0.001), TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P < 0.001), and LDL/HDL ratio (P = 0.011) were significantly higher in the case group. Also, smoking (P = 0.001), illiteracy (P = 0.005), dyslipidemia (P = 0.048), and a history of coronary atherosclerosis (P = 0.022) were more prevalent in the CAD patients. Differential expression of let-7 microRNA between groups was at the borderline of statistical significance (P = 0.058).

Conclusion: Let-7 microRNA was expressed higher in patients with CAD, which may be helpful in the early diagnosis of atherosclerotic plaques and can possibly be used in designing therapeutic and preventive approaches.