Increased levels of miR-372 correlate with disease progression in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of microRNA (miRNA)-372 in the serum of patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HTGAP), and its clinical significance. Patients with a serum lipid concentration ≥11.3 or 5.65-11.3 mmol/l with chylous serum were included in group A (n=40). The remaining patients did not have HTGAP and were included in group B (B). A further 25 patients with hyperlipidemia, but not AP (group C), and 30 healthy volunteers (group D) were recruited as controls. The level of miR-372 in the serum of group A (4.76±2.60) was significantly increased compared with groups B (0.98±0.80), C (0.85±0.62) and D (0.76±0.44); however, there was no significant difference in the expression of miR-372 between groups B, C and D. The expression level of miR-372 was significantly increased in the severe HTGAP group (6.45±2.20) compared with the mild HTGAP group (3.08±1.74). Further experiments suggested that the expression level of miR-372 was positively correlated with the level of triacylglycerol (r=0.666; P<0.001) but not with the level of amylase (r=-0.145; P>0.05). ROC analysis indicated that the combined use of miR-372 expression levels and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scoring improved the diagnostic value for HTGAP. In summary, the expression of miR-372 in HTGAP was significantly upregulated and increased with the severity of the disease. The results of the present study may provide a novel strategy for the diagnosis and severity assessment of HTGAP in the clinic.