MicroRNA-134 plasma levels before and after treatment with valproic acid for epilepsy patients

Abstract

// Xiaofeng Wang 1 , Yifeng Luo 1 , Shuangxi Liu 2 , Liming Tan 3 , Sanhu Wang 4 and Rongyong Man 2 1 Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510630 China 2 Department of Neurology of the First People’s Hospital of Huaihua, affiliated to University of South China, Huaihua, Hunan 418000, China 3 Department of Pharmacy of the First People’s Hospital of Huaihua, affiliated to University of South China, Huaihua, Hunan 418000, China 4 Medical Research Center of the First People’s Hospital of Huaihua, affiliated to University of South China, Huaihua, Hunan 418000, China Correspondence to: Rongyong Man, email: rongyongman@aliyun.com Keywords: microRNA-134, valproic acid, epilepsy, biomarker, temporal lobe epilepsy Received: January 10, 2017      Accepted: June 12, 2017      Published: August 16, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Temporal lobe epilepsy is the second most common neurological disorders characterized by recurrent spontaneous seizures. MicroRNAs play a vital role in regulating synaptic plasticity, brain development and post-transcriptional expression of proteins. In both animal models of epilepsy and human patients, miR-134, a brain-specific microRNA has recently been identified as a potential regulator of epileptogenesis. Methods: microRNA identified as targets for the actions of valproic acid (VPA) are known to have important effects in brain function. In this study, 59 new-onset epilepsy patients and 20 controls matched by sex and age were enrolled. Patients with a score < 3 were allocated into the mild group, 3-5 into the moderate group and >5 into the severe group. The plasma miRNA-134 level was quantitatively measured using real-time PCR. Results: Plasma miRNA-134 level in new-onset epilepsy patients was significantly up-regulated when compared with that in healthy controls, and then considerably down-regulated after oral intake of valproic acid medication. The up-regulated plasma miRNA-134 levels may be directly associated with the pathophysiology and severity of epilepsy. Conclusion: Plasma miRNA-134 in epilepsy may be considered as a potential peripheral biomarker that responds to the incidence of epilepsy and associates with use of anti-epilepsy drugs.