Predictive value of circulating SNHG1/miR-194-5p and carotid ultrasound for the onset of cerebral infarction in patients with transient cerebral ischemia

Wei Wang¹Mingjia Lv¹Xin Zhou^2*

• ¹Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, China
• ²Department of Oncology, Shengli Oilfield Central Hospital, Dongying, China

Background: Transient cerebral ischemia is a super warning sign of cerebral infarction (CI). Objective risk assessment for patients with transient cerebral ischemia as early as possible can effectively prevent the occurrence of CI. Objective: To explore the predictive value of SNHG1/miR-194-5p combined with carotid ultrasound for the occurrence of CI in patients with transient cerebral ischemia. Patients and methods: This study was a prospective observational study. This study recruited A total of 189 patients with transient cerebral ischemia and divided them into the CI group (n=67) and the non-CI group (n=122) according to whether CI occurred within 90 days. The clinical data and laboratory indexes in two groups were compared. RT-qPCR was employed to examine the levels of SNHG1/miR-194-5p. Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis were performed based on serum SNHG1/ miR-194-5p and carotid artery stenosis degree. Meanwhile, bioinformatics analysis was carried out for the target genes of miR-194-5p. Results: The results showed that compared with non-CI group, the expression of SNHG1 in the serum of CI group was upregulated, and the expression of miR-194-5p was downregulated. Logistic regression indicated that the expressions of miR-194-5p (OR = 0.067, P < 0.001), SNHG1 (OR = 25.984, P < 0.001) and carotid artery stenosis degree (OR = 1.152, P = 0.001) were significantly correlated with CI. The combined detection of these three indicators has an AUC value of 0.953 in the prediction of CI. Its sensitivity is 89.55% and specificity is 86.89%, indicating a higher diagnostic efficiency than that of a single indicator. The area under the ROC curve of the combined detection of the three reached 0.953, and the diagnostic efficacy was good. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis revealed that the target gene of miR-194-5p was enriched in various disease pathways, especially in neurodegeneration, providing a new direction for exploring the mechanism of CI. Conclusion: Serum SNHG1/miR-194-5p levels combined with carotid ultrasound have a high predictive accuracy for the short-term occurrence of CI in patients with transient cerebral ischemia.