Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Medica Iranica 0044-6025 64 4 2026 07 05 183 189 Samin Aboulhassanzadeh Mérieux NutriSciences, Global, Advanced Laboratory Testing, Newbridge, Ireland. AND Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (RCPN), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Hamed Aghazadeh Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (RCPN), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. AND School of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AND Laboratory of Dendrimers and Nano-Biopolymers, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Zahra Nikkhooy Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Shahid Chamran University, Ahvaz, Iran. Zahra Sadat Mousavian Hiagh Laboratory of Dendrimers and Nano-Biopolymers, Faculty of Chemistry, University of Tabriz, Tabriz, Iran. Behboud Jafari Department of Microbiology, Ahar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ahar, Iran. Sobhan Aboulhassanzadeh Research Center for Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (RCPN), Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. AND School of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Health, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland. 2024 08 18 2025 07 26 Atherosclerosis is another type of arteriosclerosis, characterized by the hardening of arteries, playing a significant role in various cardiovascular diseases. It stands as one of the leading causes of mortality in contemporary societies, especially in advanced countries experiencing higher levels of stress. The primary feature of atherosclerosis is the accumulation of excessive lipid deposits (plaques), obstructing blood flow and leading to strokes and various cardiovascular diseases. While various factors contribute to plaque formation, both environmental and genetic factors play crucial roles. In the cross-sectional study, 80 patients with atherosclerosis, referred to Rajaee Hospital in Tehran and Madani Hospital in Tabriz, along with 80 healthy individuals for comparative analysis, were selected. All relevant information and serum levels of important biomarkers were measured, followed by statistical analysis. MicroRNA extraction was performed using Trizol solution, and CDNA was synthesized by adding polyadenine tails to all microRNA samples. The obtained CDNA was utilized for real-time PCR with LNA primers. The results, normalized using Spike RNA, indicated a significant 90% decrease in the serum levels of these microRNAs in patients with atherosclerosis. The findings suggest that microRNA miR-122 could serve as a promising biomarker for diagnosing atherosclerosis. https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/view/11207 https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/download/11207/6037