Diagnostic value and bioinformatics-based mechanistic exploration of serum miR-7977 in diabetic peripheral neuropathy

Objectives Peripheral neuropathy, as a complication in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is easily overlooked in the early stage. The aim of this study was to investigate the significance of microRNA-7977 (miR-7977) for early warning of T2DM combined with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN). Methods The study included T2DM patients two groups: those without DPN (n=63) and those with DPN (n=62). Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction was used to detect serum levels of miR-7977 and mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2). Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve was used to assess their diagnose potential for DPN. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant markers (glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase) were measured. Bioinformatics and dual luciferase reporter assays were used to validate MDM2 as a target of miR-7977. Results Serum miR-7977 levels were elevated in T2DM patients compared to healthy controls and further increased in DPN patients. Elevated miR-7977 was an independent risk factor for DPN and was positively correlated with MDA and negatively correlated with antioxidant markers in patients. MDM2, as a target gene of miR-7977, showed an opposite trend of expression to that in patients. Serum MDM2 combined with miR-7977 can efficiently diagnose T2DM combined with DPN. Conclusions miR-7977 and MDM2 may serve as a novel biomarker for early DPN diagnosis. miR-7977 may promote oxidative stress process by targeting MDM2, suggesting a potential therapeutic pathway.