Research
Hormonal
Liver expression of miR-122 is downregulated in NASH compared to simple steatosis, despite being upregulated in the serum, suggesting a release mechanism from lipid-laden hepatocytes.
In advanced fatty liver disease (NASH), the liver itself contains less miR-122, but more of it is found in the blood. This suggests that as liver damage progresses, the liver releases this molecule into the bloodstream, making blood tests a useful proxy for liver health.
GoodQualifiesHIGH confidence
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.
Why this rating
Supported by ISH and immunohistochemistry data in liver tissue samples.
Source
Circulating microRNA signature in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: from serum non-coding RNAs to liver histology and disease pathogenesis
Carlos J. Pirola et al. · Gut · 2014
DOI 10.1136/gutjnl-2014-306996
case_control · n=248Cited 548×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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- Circulating levels of miR-122 are significantly elevated in patients with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) compared to healthy controls and those with simple steatosis, serving as a biomarker for disease severity.Good
- Circulating miR-19a/b and miR-125b are associated with features of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease risk, including biomarkers of atherosclerosis.Good
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