Potential implication of microRNA21 and matrix metalloproteinases in myocardial and arterial function in patients with coronary disease and type-2 diabetes at baseline and 1-year follow up

Abstract Background Circulating microRNAs, particularly miR21, are known to be involved in cardiovascular diseases and atherosclerotic processes. However, their role in the setting of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), and their predictive role of left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is less clear. Aim To determine the association of circulating miR21, as well as MMP1 and MMP 9, with LV ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS), and arterial function, in patients with STEMI and chronic coronary syndromes (CCS), at baseline and 1-year follow-up. Methods 90 patients (61% men, 58+/-12 years), including 60 patients with STEMI (30 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), 30 patients without T2D), and 30 patients with CCS were assessed within 24 hours of admission by serum microRNA quantification, and serum MMP-1 and MMP-9 analysis. At baseline and 1-year follow up, 2D and 3D echocardiography were used to assess LVEF; speckle tracking to asses GLS, radial strain (RS), circumferential strain (CS), and area strain (AS); CAVI and ABI to assess arterial function. Results miR21 and MMP1 were significantly higher in patients with STEMI vs. CCS. In patients with STEMI, at 1-year there was a significant increase of 2D and 3D LVEF (p