Is miR-133a marker of progressive chronic kidney disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a high incidence of cardiovascular (CV) disease and numerous risk factor have been implicated to play a role.  Recent studies have shown that the levels of various microRNAs in the serum of patients with CKD have been altered and there are reports that miR-133a serum levels correlated with left ventricular hypertrophy in hemodialysis patients.The aim of this study was to investigate association between circulating miR-133a levels and development of de novo CV events in patients with CKD stage 3-5HD.METHODS: This study included 51 patients with diagnosed CKD and 7 healthy individuals as controls. According to the estimated glomerular filtration ratio (eGFR) patients were divided into three equal subgroups (n=17): patients with CKD stage 3b, 4, and 5HD.  The level of miR-133a was measured in serum by quantitative real-time PCR. Echo parameters were measured by cardiac ultrasound at the beginning and after 12 months of follow-up. The following CV events were reported during 18 months of follow-up: cardiac death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular insult, exacerbation of existing and newly discovered angina pectoris and peripheral arterial disease