The associations of long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 and microRNA-223 with general disease severity and mortality risk in sepsis patients

This study aimed to investigate the correlation of long non-coding RNA taurine upregulated gene 1 (lncRNA TUG1) with microRNA-223 (miR-223) as well as their associations with risk, severity, and mortality of sepsis. Totally122 sepsis patients and 122 healthy controls were enrolled. Plasma lncRNA TUG1 and miR-223 levels were detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. General severity of sepsis was assessed within 24 hours after admission using acute pathologic and chronic health evaluation (APACHE) II score and sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score. Patients were intensively followed up until death or 28 days after enrollment to assess mortality. LncRNA TUG1 expression was decreased (P < .001) but miR-223 expression (P < .001) was elevated in sepsis patients. Additionally, a negative correlation of lncRNA TUG1 expression with miR-223 expression was observed in sepsis patients (P < .001). Moreover, in sepsis patients, lncRNA TUG1 expression was negatively correlated with respiratory infection, serum creatinine (Scr), white blood cell (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), APACHE II score, and SOFA score but positively correlated with albumin (all P < .05); miR-223 expression was negatively correlated with skin and soft tissue infection and albumin but positively correlated with Scr, WBC, CRP, APACHE II score, and SOFA score (all P < 0.05). As to mortality, lncRNA TUG1 expression was decreased (P = .001) but miR-223 was elevated (P < .001) in 28-day sepsis deaths compared with 28-day sepsis survivors. Our findings offer the potential of lncRNA TUG1 and miR-223 as biomarkers for progression and prognosis of sepsis.