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

Many veterans live with military grade heavy metal fragments retained in soft tissue. Retained heavy metal fragments may negatively impact health in various organ systems and can manifest as gastrointestinal, neurocognitive, pulmonary and renal disturbances. As such, a better understanding of the long-term effects of retained metals and identification of biomarkers indicative of detrimental health outcomes would benefit clinical decision making. In this study, we analyzed urine microRNAs from rats with military-relevant pure metals implanted in the gastrocnemius muscle for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Our results provide potential tissue targets affected by metal exposure and a list of unique or common urine microRNA biomarkers indicative of exposure to one or more metals, highlighting a complex systemic response.