Expression Analysis of MicroRNAs, miR-20a, miR-30a, miR-210, and miR-874 in Helicobacter pylori-infected patients with or without Gastric Cancer

Introduction. Helicobacter pylori infection is one of the primary etiological factors associated with gastric carcinogenesis. This study investigated the expression of microRNAs, miR-20a, miR-30a, miR-210, and miR-874, in H. pylori-infected patients with and without gastric cancer (GC) compared to healthy subjects. Methods. Total RNA was extracted from the plasma of H. pylori-infected GC patients (n=40), H. pylori-infected patients (n=40), and healthy individuals (n=12). The expression of microRNAs was analyzed using a reverse transcription-quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) technique. Results. The miR-20a, miR-30a, miR-210, and miR-874 exhibited higher overexpression in H. pylori-infected GC patients than healthy persons (P=0.004, 0.033, 0.023, 0.024). The H. pylori-positive patients without GC also had higher miR-20a, miR-30a, and miR-210 levels than the healthy individuals (P= 0.013, 0.036, 0.032). There were no statistical differences between H. pylori-infected GC patients and H. pylori-infected patients without GC Conclusion. The microRNAs overexpression in H. pylori-infected patients with GC might be linked to H. pylori rather than GC. Therefore, these microRNAs can be helpful in H. pylori infection diagnosis rather than predicting GC. in H. pylori-infected patients.