Clinical Significance of MiR-194-5p in Necrotizing Enterocolitis and Its Effect on LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response and Oxidative Stress

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a severe and damaging disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, primarily affecting premature babies. The study aimed to explore the clinical significance of miR-194-5p in NEC and elucidate its effect on lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced inflammatory response and oxidative stress. The expression level of miR-194-5p was detected by Real-time Quantitative Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR), and the clinical value of miR-194-5p was analyzed by Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis and logistic regression analysis. In addition, the levels of inflammatory factors and markers of oxidative stress were evaluated by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. Cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and the targeting relationship between miR-194-5p and TNF receptor associated factor 6 (TRAF6) was evaluated by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. miR-194-5p was down-regulated in the serum of premature infants with NEC and had a diagnostic value on NEC. Meanwhile, miR-194-5p regulated LPS-induced inflammation and oxidative stress responses by targeting TRAF6. In conclusion, miR-194-5p inhibited the progression of NEC, and miR-194-5p may be a biomarker for premature infants with NEC.