The current study was designed to explore whether microRNA-146a and its adapter proteins (tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) and interleukin-1 receptor-associated kinase 1 (IRAK1)) are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes neuropathy. Twelve male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into control and diabetic groups (n = 6). Diabetes was induced by a single-dose injection of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg; i.p.), 15 min before injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg; i.p.) in 12-h-fasted rats. Diabetic neuropathy was evaluated by hot plate and tail emersion tests, 2 months after the injection of streptozotocin. The gene expression level of microRNA-146a (miR-146a), IRAK1, TRAF6, and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) was measured in the sciatic nerve of rats using the real time-PCR method. Moreover, the activity of NF-κB and the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines were determined by the ELISA method. In comparison with the control group, a threefold increase in the expression of miR-146a and NF-κB, and a twofold decrease in the expression of TRAF6 were observed in the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats. Furthermore, the NF-κB activity and the concentration of TNF-α, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) in the sciatic nerve of diabetic rats were higher than in those of control counterparts. These results suggest that a defect in the NF-кB-miR-146a negative feedback loop may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy.

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Chronic migraine is a debilitating disorder that has a significant impact on patients and society. Nearly all migraineurs frequently reported light sensitivity during a headache attack. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) plays an important role in the activation of trigeminal system and migraine pain. To identify the effect of chronic ghrelin treatment on endogenous PACAP and associated symptoms of migraine, an experimental chronic migraine model was induced by intermittent intraperitoneal (i.p) injection of nitroglycerin (NTG). Photophobia and anxiety-like behaviors were determined in the modified elevated plus maze on days 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 and in the light/dark box on days 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11. Blood levels of PACAP and cortisol were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) kits. Chronic injection of NTG evoked photophobia and anxiety-like behaviors and treatment with ghrelin (150 μg/kg) for 11 days effectively attenuated photophobia and anxiety-like behaviors in the both paradigms. We further found that NTG increased the blood levels of PACAP and cortisol, which was significantly reduced by ghrelin treatment. Additionally, staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) revealed that ghrelin reduced NTG-induced increase in the number of satellite glial cells in the trigeminal ganglion. Furthermore, for the first time we showed that repeated administrations of NTG increased white blood cell (WBC) counts and mean platelet volume (MPV), and decreased platelet counts. These results indicated that ghrelin decreased migraine associated symptoms possibly through attenuating endogenous PACAP and cortisol levels. Therefore, ghrelin may hold therapeutic potentialities in managing the chronic migraine.

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The present study was designed to evaluate whether microRNA-146a and its adapter proteins (TRAF6 and IRAK1) are involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes-induced kidney damage. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and diabetic groups (n = 6 in each). Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg; i.p.) in 12 h fasted rats. Diabetic kidney damage was diagnosed by renal hypertrophy, thickened glomerular basement membrane, widened filtration slits, mesangial expansion, as well as by elevated levels of blood urea and creatinine in diabetic rats 2 months after induction of diabetes. While the expression of NF-κB mRNA and miR-146a were increased in diabetic kidney compared to the sham controls (p < 0.01 for both comparisons), the mRNA levels of IRAK1 and TRAF6 did not statistically reduce. The NF-κB activity and the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β in the kidney of diabetic rats were higher than the kidney of controls (p < 0.05 for TNF-α and NF-κB; p < 0.01 for IL-6 and IL-1β). Our results indicate that the upregulation of miR-146a was not accompanied by downregulation of inflammatory mediators in diabetic kidney. It is possible that a defect in the miR-146a-mediated negative loop provides a situation for sustained activation of NF-κB and its targets to promote cells toward abnormalities.

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