MicroRNAs as biomarkers in alcohol use disorder: from diagnostics to therapy. Review of  literature

The aim of this paper is to present the current state of knowledge about microRNAs in alcohol use disorder (AUD). Particular emphasis was placed on estimating the possibility of using microRNA molecules as biomarkers of diagnostic, prognostic and predictive significance as well as potential therapeutic targets in alcohol-related disorders. For this purpose the PubMed, Science Direct and Wiley Online Library medical databases were reviewed using the following phrases: “ncRNA”, “microRNA”, “circulating microRNA”, “miRNA”, “alcohol use disorder”, “alcohol addiction”, “alcohol abuse”, “alcoholism”, “biomarker” and their combinations. Experimental and clinical studies results as well as review papers published in 1993, 1999 and between 2003 and 2020 were selected.

MicroRNAs are small, non-coding oligonucleotides regulating the expression of many genes that play an important role in alcohol use disorder. The review of scientific literature shows that circulating microRNAs can play the role of molecular biomarkers useful in diagnostic and clinical practice. Intensive research is currently being conducted to determine specific microRNAs expression profiles correlated with phenotype, clinical course, degree of organ damage or disease severity. Additionally, microRNAs are also a new, promising target for the development of personalised therapeutic strategies.