Type 2 diabetes and its effects on microRNA-155 and microRNA-133a expression in lung tissue of male rats

Abstract

Backgrounds: The presence of extensive vascular and large amounts of collagen and elastin in lung tissue makes the lung parenchyma vulnerable to damage in diabetes. However, there are few studies on the pathophysiological effects of diabetes on lung tissue. In this study, we investigated the effects of type 2 diabetes on lung tissue pathology and the expression of miRNA-155 and miRNA-133a in lung tissue of male rats. Methods and results: In this study, 20 male rats were divided into a control group and a group with diabetes. The diabetic group received a high-fat diet for 4 weeks. Rats were injected with a single dose of streptozotocin (STZ) after the fourth week. 4 days after STZ injection, blood glucose and glucose tolerance (GTT) tests were measured. Immediately after the tests, the mice were sacrificed and lung tissue was collected to measure microRNAs and to examine tissue changes. When lung tissue sections from diabetic rats were examined, the normal structure of the alveoli and alveolar sacs and bronchioles was disturbed. The extensive alveolar collapse was the main cause of lung tissue structure disruption, and the accumulation of inflammatory cells and exudate secretions resulted in an interstitial pneumonia-like appearance. The expression of miRNA-155 was increased, and the expression of miRNA-133a was decreased in the lungs of diabetic rats compared with control rats. Conclusion We found significant changes in the lung tissue of diabetic rats. By studying the changes in the expression of microRNAs in the lungs of diabetic patients, microRNA can be used as a diagnostic biomarker. These changes can provide appropriate treatment strategies.