Yang C, Wen K, et al. - Investigation concerning the predictive value and regulatory mechanism of serum miR-499a-5p in sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction (SIMD) revealed that SIMD patients exhibit weak levels of miR-499a-5p. By inhibiting EIF4E transcription, miR-499a-5p shows a good diagnostic and prognostic value for SIMD.

• Serum levels of miRNAs (miR-451, miR-378 and miR-499a-5p) were investigated in a total of 60 patients with sepsis and 60 healthy volunteers.

• The serum of SIMD patients showed a poor expression of miR-499a-5p, while there was no significant difference in miR-451 and miR-378.

• Higher levels of miR-499a-5p were observed in the survival group relative to the non-survival group.

• Lipopolysaccharide-treated cardiomyocytes showed significantly decreased miR-499a-5p.

• After overexpression of miR-499a-5p, there appeared an increase in the cell viability, and a decrease in the concentrations of CK-MB and BNP, while an increase in the concentrations of SOD and COX IV occurred.

• miR-499a-5p appeared targeting EIF4E.

• After overexpression of EIF4E, decrease in the cell viability and increase in the concentrations of CK-MB and BNP occurred while there appeared a decrease in concentrations of SOD and COX IV.