Increased plasma miR-146a levels are associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Aims The association between circulating miR-146a and subclinical atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between plasma miR-146a levels and subclinical atherosclerosis as measured by the carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) in patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Methods We studied 100 patients with newly diagnosed T2DM. Subclinical atherosclerosis was defined as a thickened CIMT (≥1.0 mm) and high baPWV defined as a value greater than the 75th percentile. Plasma miR-146a levels and metabolic parameters were measured. Results Patients with thickened CIMT had higher plasma miR-146a levels than those without thickened CIMT (3.36±1.32 vs 1.38±1.11, P Conclusion Plasma miR-146a levels correlate with CIMT and baPWV and could act as a biomarker for early diagnosis and as a therapeutic target for atherosclerosis in T2DM.