The expression of selected microRNAs (miRNAs) was measured (RT-qPCR) in paired PF (black column) and peripheral plasma (gray column) samples. The PF/plasma concentration ratios of individual miRNAs are plotted on the right side of the graphs. Exogenous spike-in cel-miR-39 was the normalizer. MiR-122-5p was used as a non-cardiovascular control. N.D., not detectable. All values are mean + SEM. *p ≤ 0.05, **p ≤ 0.01, and ***p ≤ 0.001 versus plasma (unpaired Student’s t test); n = 5–9.