Stephanie Carreiro1, James Marvel-Coen2, Rosalind Lee2, Brittany Chapman3, Victor Ambros2. 1. Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA. stephanie.carreiro@umassmed.edu. 2. Program in Molecular Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA. 3. Department of Emergency Medicine, Division of Medical Toxicology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, 55 Lake Avenue North, Worcester, MA, 01655, USA.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Acetaminophen toxicity has been associated with elevation of microRNAs. The present study was to evaluate overall microRNA profiles and previously identified microRNAs to differentiate acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity from other causes of transaminase elevation. METHODS: This was an observational study of adults with presumed acetaminophen toxicity at presentation. Serum samples were collected every 12 hours during hospitalization. Total miRNAs were extracted from plasma and levels of 327 microRNAs were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A standard measure of miRNA expression (delta-delta cycle threshold) was calculated for each microRNAs. A two-level cluster analysis was performed using a random k-means algorithm. Demographic and clinical characteristics of each cluster were compared using ANOVA, Wilcoxon rank sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests. Performance of specific miRNAs of interest was also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects were enrolled (21 with a final diagnosis of acetaminophen toxicity), and a total of 61 samples were analyzed. Five clusters were identified, two of which demonstrated clear clinical patterns and included specific elevated miRNAs previously reported to be elevated in APAP toxicity patients. Features associated with clusters 1 and 5 included confirmed acetaminophen toxicity, high peak alanine aminotransferase, and late presentation. Clusters 2-4 contained lower peak microRNAs, lower peak alanine aminotransferase, and heterogeneous clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Severe cases of acetaminophen toxicity showed two distinct patterns of microRNA elevation which were similar to previous work, while less severe cases were difficult to distinguish from non-acetaminophen-associated cases. Further work is needed to incorporate microRNA profiles into the diagnostic algorithm of acetaminophen toxicity.
INTRODUCTION:Acetaminophentoxicity has been associated with elevation of microRNAs. The present study was to evaluate overall microRNA profiles and previously identified microRNAs to differentiate acetaminophen (APAP) toxicity from other causes of transaminase elevation. METHODS: This was an observational study of adults with presumed acetaminophentoxicity at presentation. Serum samples were collected every 12 hours during hospitalization. Total miRNAs were extracted from plasma and levels of 327 microRNAs were quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction. A standard measure of miRNA expression (delta-delta cycle threshold) was calculated for each microRNAs. A two-level cluster analysis was performed using a random k-means algorithm. Demographic and clinical characteristics of each cluster were compared using ANOVA, Wilcoxon rank sum, Kruskal-Wallis, and chi-square tests. Performance of specific miRNAs of interest was also evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven subjects were enrolled (21 with a final diagnosis of acetaminophentoxicity), and a total of 61 samples were analyzed. Five clusters were identified, two of which demonstrated clear clinical patterns and included specific elevated miRNAs previously reported to be elevated in APAPtoxicitypatients. Features associated with clusters 1 and 5 included confirmed acetaminophentoxicity, high peak alanine aminotransferase, and late presentation. Clusters 2-4 contained lower peak microRNAs, lower peak alanine aminotransferase, and heterogeneous clinical characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Severe cases of acetaminophentoxicity showed two distinct patterns of microRNA elevation which were similar to previous work, while less severe cases were difficult to distinguish from non-acetaminophen-associated cases. Further work is needed to incorporate microRNA profiles into the diagnostic algorithm of acetaminophentoxicity.
Authors: Julian Krauskopf; Theo M de Kok; Shelli J Schomaker; Mark Gosink; Deborah A Burt; Patricia Chandler; Roscoe L Warner; Kent J Johnson; Florian Caiment; Jos C Kleinjans; Jiri Aubrecht Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-05-17 Impact factor: 3.240