apEvaluation of circulating microRNAs in plasma from horses with non-strangulating intestinal infarction and idiopathic peritonitis.

This research examines whether there are differences in the abundance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in plasma from horses experiencing two different types of diseases, non-strangulating intestinal infarctions (NSII) and idiopathic peritonitis (IP). Both conditions have similar symptoms but need different treatment methods. Comparing miRNA abundance in the blood could potentially help differentiate between the two diseases during diagnosis.

Objective of the Study

• The primary aim of the research was to determine if miRNA abundance in the blood could serve as a diagnostic tool in differentiating between NSII and IP in horses. Both conditions have similar clinical presentations and being able to distinguish one from the other could guide the appropriate treatment strategy.

Methodology

• Plasma samples were collected from 43 horses; 21 diagnosed with NSII and 22 with IP.
• A subset (numbering 12) from the collected samples was submitted for deep small RNA sequencing to identify differences in miRNAs between the groups.
• Nine miRNAs were selected to be evaluated and confirmed through reverse transcription quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR).

Results and Findings

• Small RNA sequencing detected 628 miRNAs in the blood samples. However, none of the miRNAs were differentially abundant between the two disease groups.
• The results from the RT-qPCR confirmed these findings.
• The miRNAs Eca-Mir-122-5p, Eca-Mir-486-5p, and Eca-Mir-223-3p were among the most abundant in both conditions. The latter, Eca-Mir-223-3p, had been associated with inflammation in previous studies.
• Target prediction for the most abundant miRNAs indicated targets in inflammatory pathways.
• Evaluation of clinicopathological parameters revealed differences in the white blood cell count and blood neutrophil count between the groups, showing a correlation with findings from previous studies.
• No significant differentiation in miRNA profiles between NSII and IP was evident, indicating systemic inflammation in both instances.

Conclusion

• The similarity in the miRNA profiles for NSII and IP, as well as their association with systemic inflammation, suggest that miRNA abundance in plasma may not be a viable diagnostic tool for differentiating between these two conditions in horses.