Clinical significance of microRNA-328-3p and bone metabolism biomarkers in gout patients with different musculoskeletal ultrasonography imaging.

AIMS: MicroRNA (miRNA) participates in the pathophysiological processes of multiple metabolic diseases, including gout. In gout patients, there is concomitant derangement of bone metabolism. The study aimed to explore the correlation of different ultrasonic manifestations and miR-328-3p levels with bone metabolic markers in gout patients.

METHODS

A total of 320 gout patients were grouped according to musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) imaging. Serum osteocalcin (BGP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) and osteopotin (OPN) levels were detected to evaluate bone metabolism. Serum miR-328-3p levels were detected via qRT-PCR. Pearson's correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationships between the variables.

RESULTS

Patients with tophi accompanied by bone erosion demonstrated significantly elevated levels of BGP and OPN compared to those with tophi or aggregate of MSU crystals in the absence of bone erosions. Cases with long course of disease exhibited more severe bone destruction. Cases without specific clinical manifestations presented the highest levels of serum miR-328-3p, whereas those with bone erosions demonstrated the lowest values. Significantly negative correlations were also detected for serum miR-328-3p levels with BGP and OPN values in all gout patients.

CONCLUSION

Serum miR-328-3p levels were associated with diverse MSUS manifestations in gout patients. MSUS imaging and miR-328-3p levels are capable of reflecting the joint impairment in gout patients.