Role of miRNA in Cardiovascular Diseases in Children-Systematic Review.

The number of children suffering from cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) is rising globally. Therefore, there is an urgent need to acquire a better understanding of the genetic factors and molecular mechanisms related to the pathogenesis of CVDs in order to develop new prevention and treatment strategies for the future. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a class of small non-coding RNA fragments that range from 17 to 25 nucleotides in length and play an essential role in regulating gene expression, controlling an abundance of biological aspects of cell life, such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, thus affecting immune response, stem cell growth, ageing and haematopoiesis. In recent years, the concept of miRNAs as diagnostic markers allowing discrimination between healthy individuals and those affected by CVDs entered the purview of academic debate. In this review, we aimed to systematise available information regarding miRNAs associated with arrhythmias, cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and congenital heart diseases in children. We focused on the targeted genes and metabolic pathways influenced by those particular miRNAs, and finally, tried to determine the future of miRNAs as novel biomarkers of CVD.

The Relationship between Selected Inflammation and Oxidative Stress Biomarkers and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT) Value in Youth with Type 1 Diabetes Co-Existing with Early Microvascular Complications.

Recent years have confirmed the importance of oxidative stress and biomarkers of inflammation in estimating the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and explaining not fully understood pathogenesis of diabetic macroangiopathy. We aimed to analyze the relation between the intima-media thickness (IMT) of common carotid arteries and the occurrence of classical cardiovascular risk factors, together with the newly proposed biomarkers of CVD risk (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), myeloperoxidase (MPO), adiponectin, N-terminal-pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and vitamin D) in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) recognized in screening tests to present early stages of microvascular complications (VC). The study group consisted of 50 adolescents and young adults with T1D, mean age 17.1 years (10-26 age range), including 20 patients with VC (+) and 30 VC (-). The control group (Control) consisted of 22 healthy volunteers, mean age 16.5 years (11-26 age range). In the VC (+) patients, we found a significantly higher concentration of HbA1c, lipid levels, hsCRP and NT-proBNP. BMI and blood pressure values were highest in the VC (+) group. Higher levels of MPO and lower levels of vitamin D were found in both diabetic groups vs. Control. IMT in VC (+) patients was significantly higher and correlated positively with HbA1c, hsCRP, NT-pro-BNP and negatively with vitamin D levels. In conclusion, youth with T1D and VC (+) present many abnormalities in the classical and new CVD biomarkers. hsCRP and MPO seem to be the most important markers for estimating the risk of macroangiopathy. NT-proBNP may present a possible marker of early myocardial injury in this population.

[Epidemiology of diabetes type 1 in children aged 0-14 in Podlasie Province in years 2005-2012]. / Epidemiologia cukrzycy typu 1 wsród dzieci w wieku 0­14 lat w makroregionie podlaskim w latach 2005­2012.

INTRODUCTION: Epidemiological studies performed during last decades in many European countries and in the world proved increasing incidence rate of diabetes, especially diabetes type 1 in children (DMT1). In Europe there is one of the highest diabetes incidence rate. The aim of the study was to estimate the incidence rate of diabetes type 1 in children aged 0-14 years in North-East Poland during 2005-2012 years and to analyse this rates in relation to age, gender and season of the diabetes onset. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed among patients staying under care of outpatient diabetes clinic of the Department of Pediatric, Endocrinologym Diabetology with Cardilogy Division, medical University of Bialystok, Poland. The DMT1 incidence rate was calculated as the number of all newly diagnosed cases per 100 000 persons 0-14 aged matched. RESULTS: During the studied 8-years- period DMT1 was diagnosed in 306 children aged 0-14 years, 159 boys and 147 girls, in Podlasie Province. The highest number of new cases was found in 2011: 49, and 2012: 47, with the lowest number in 2005 and 2009: 32 each year. The average incidence rate in the studied period was 20,84/100 000 population, aged matched. The lowest incidence rate was found in 0-4 yrs old group: 14,59 /100 000, in 5-9 years old group was: 22,04/100 000, and was highest in 10-14 years old group: 24,94/100 000. The highest increase in incidence rate was noted in the youngest group: from 9,14/100 000 in 2005, to 23,45/100 000 in 2012. The greatest number of new recognisions was found in from November to March, and the lowest number from June to August. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The DMT1 incidence rate among children aged 0-14 years, in Podlasie Province, during 2005-2012 years was 20,84/100 000. 2. Increase in incidence rate was observed in the studied period from 15,23/100 000 in 2005 to 26,71/100 000 in 2012. The highest increase in incidence rate, 2,5 times, was fund in the youngest group, aged 0-4 years. 3. The seasonal incidence of New onset was observed with the greater number in autumn-winter months.