Utility of plasma circulating mRNA as a marker to detect hepatic injury.

Utility of plasma circulating mRNA as a molecular marker to detect hepatic injury was evaluated. Total RNA was isolated from plasma of the rat liver fibrosis models at various time points, and plasma circulating mRNAs of major liver-derived genes, albumin and haptoglobin, were measured by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Sensitivity and kinetics of plasma circulating mRNA were compared with those of plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity. We have found that the measurement of plasma circulating mRNA is more sensitive than plasma ALT activity, and enables early detection of hepatic injury. The plasma circulating mRNA will serve as a novel and highly sensitive molecular marker for hepatic injury.