Aim: Hypertension is a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis. Increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaques are considered subclinical markers of atherosclerosis. This study aimed at evaluating the serum expression of miRNAs previously related to adverse vascular remodeling and correlating them with carotid plaques and cIMT in hypertensive patients. Methods: We cross-sectionally evaluated the clinical and carotid characteristics as well as serum expression of miR-145-5p, miR-let7c, miR-92a, miR-30a and miR-451 in 177 hypertensive patients. Carotid plaques and cIMT were evaluated by ultrasound, and the expression of selected miRNAs was evaluated by a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results: Among all participants (age = 60.6 ± 10.7 years, 43% males), there were 59% with carotid plaques. We observed an increased expression of miR-145-5p (Fold Change = 2.0, p = 0.035) and miR-let7c (Fold Change = 3.8, p = 0.045) in participants with atherosclerotic plaque when compared to those without plaque. In the logistic regression analysis adjusted for relevant covariates, these miRNAs showed a stronger association with carotid plaques (miR-145-5p: Beta ± SE = 0.050 ± 0.020, p = 0.016 and miR-let7c: Beta ± SE = 0.056 ± 0.019, p = 0.003). Conclusions: Hypertensive patients with carotid plaques have an increased expression of miR-145-5p and miR-let7c, suggesting a potential role of these miRNAs as a biomarker for subclinical atherosclerosis in hypertensive individuals.
