Early microRNA responses in rodent liver mediated by furan exposure establish dose thresholds for later adverse outcomes

In this study, we evaluated the utility of microRNA (miRNA) profiling in female B6C3F1 mouse liver to indicate mechanisms of liver perturbation due to short-term exposure of the known rodent liver hepatotoxicant and carcinogen, furan. Analyses indicated a robust dose response for 34 miRNAs to furan and involvement of p53-linked pathways in furan-mediated hepatotoxicity. Overall, these results indicate mechanistic involvement of miRNA in furan carcinogenicity and provide evidence of their potential utility as accessible biomarkers of exposure and disease. Overall design: 6–7-week-old female B6C3F1 mice were exposed by oral gavage to non-carcinogenic (0, 1 or 2 mg/kg bodyweight per day) or carcinogenic (4 or 8 mg/kg bodyweight per day) doses of furan in corn oil for 21 days.