MicroRNA-127 and MicroRNA-132 Expression in Patients with Methamphetamine Abuse in East Azerbaijan, Iran: A Case-Control Study

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Genetics, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran

2 1. Department of Genetics, Bonab Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bonab, Iran 2. Medicinal Plants Research Center, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran

10.34172/ahj.2022.1298

Abstract

Background: Addiction is a personal and social problem worldwide, and has physical and psychological effects on consumers’ 
health. Recently, miRNAs have been described as noninvasive biomarkers. Currently, methamphetamine abuse (MA) is mainly 
diagnosed by chromatography. This study aimed to investigate the expression and diagnostic value of miR-127 and miR-132 in 
blood samples of patients with MA and non-user healthy controls.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with MA (case group) and 60 non-user healthy individuals (control group) were selected from 
Tabriz, East Azerbaijan, Iran. Peripheral blood was obtained and total RNA was extracted. Then, cDNA synthesis was performed 
and miR-127 and miR-132 expression was evaluated using real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.

Findings: The results of this study demonstrated that miR-127 was significantly lower (0.042-fold change) in patients with MA 
than in the control group (P<0.05). However, miR-132 was significantly higher (7.1-fold change) in patients with MA than in the 
control group (P<0.05).

Conclusion: In general, expression of miR-127 and miR-132 may alter in patients with MA. Further studies are needed to identify 
underlying molecular mechanisms in patients with MA.

Keywords

Addiction & Health
Volume 14, Issue 3
July 2022
Pages 214-17

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