Urine miRNAs as potential biomarkers for systemic reactions induced by exposure to embedded metal.

Explore the potential of urine microRNAs as biomarkers that may reflect the biological responses to pure metals embedded in skeletal muscle over time. We tested a panel of military-relevant metals embedded in the gastrocnemius muscles of 3-month-old, male, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8/group) for a duration of 1, 3, 6 and 12 months, and performed small RNA-sequencing on the urine samples. Results provide potential tissue targets affected by metal exposure and a list of unique or common urine microRNA biomarkers indicative of exposure to various metals, highlighting a complex systemic response. We have identified a panel of miRNAs as potential urine biomarkers to reflect the complex systemic response to embedded metal exposure.