The Expression Level of miR-93-5p in Patients With Lumbar Disc Herniation is Related to the Severity of the Disease

Study DesignRetrospective Study.ObjectiveLumbar disc herniation (LDH) can cause low back pain and sciatica, and lead to nerve damage. This study aims to explore whether the severity of LDH and the risk of its onset are related to the dysregulation of miR-93-5p.MethodsFirstly, the level of miR-93-5p in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of LDH patients and patients with traumatic lumbar fractures was detected by RT-qPCR. The compression degree of the lumbar disc on the nerve was evaluated by using the Pfirrmann classification. The VAS score and JOA score were used to evaluate the degree of pain and functional impairment. We also analyzed the relationship between the concentration of miR-93-5p and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β). Finally, the risk factors influencing LDH were explored through binary logistic regression.ResultsmiR-93-5p was downregulated in LDH patients. The higher the Pfirrmann grade is, the lower the level of miR-93-5p is. Additionally, as the degree of pain increases, the level of miR-93-5p gradually begins to decrease. Contrary to this result, miR-93-5p was positively correlated with the JOA score. Inflammatory factors in the NP tissues of LDH patients increase and there is a negative correlation with miR-93-5p. More importantly, the decrease of miR-93-5p may be an independent risk factor leading to LDH.ConclusionThe decrease of miR-93-5p is a risk factor for LDH and is negatively correlated with the clinical severity. The reduction of this molecule may lead to intensified pain and activation of inflammation.