Assessing miR-146a-5P with IL-6 and TLR-4 serum levels in diabetic mellitus patients with or without urinary tract infection

Rabiha Q. Thajel; Abdulameer M. Ghareeb; Qays A. M. Al-Khafaji

doi:10.51248/.v43i5.3258

Authors

Rabiha Q. Thajel
Abdulameer M. Ghareeb
Qays A. M. Al-Khafaji

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51248/.v43i5.3258

Keywords:

Diabetic mellitus, UPEC, IL-6, TLR-4, miR-146a-5p

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disease that affects glucose levels. This condition increases blood sugar and weakens immunity, damaging neutrophil function and urine antibacterial activity. IL-6 and TLR-4 are involved in inflammation and immune system control, while miR-146-5p may be a biomarker for diabetes. This study examines IL-6, TLR-4, and miR-146-5p in diabetics with and without UT infection.

Materials and Methods: In this study, blood samples were collected from 100 diabetic mellitus patients suffering from UTI in addition to 100 individuals apparently healthy as control. The serum levels of IL-6 and TLR-4 were detected using commercial BTlab brand ELISA kits. The plasma RNA expression level of the miR-146a-5p was determined by real time-PCR using a specific primer for miR-146a-5p with the U6 gene utilized as a reference gene.

Results: The results showed that diabetic patient’s group had a significantly higher response of IL-6 than controls (75.6 vs. 27.6). TLR-4 levels showed high levels in diabetic patients’ group (1.3) in comparison with the control group (0.441). Both IL-6 and TLR-4 levels showed a significant difference between the diabetic patients with UTI compared to control. The results revealed no-significant differences in the levels among both diabetic patients with UTI and patients without UTI. TLR-4 and IL-6 showed a significant inverse relationship while the relation between TLR-4 level and miR-146a-5p expression level showed a negative relationship.

Conclusion: The levels of IL-6, TLR-4, and miR-146-5p expression were found to be considerably greater in individuals with diabetes having UTIs compared to patients with diabetes alone. An inverse relationship existed between IL-6 and TLR-4 levels as well as between TLR-4 and miR-146a-5p. The expression levels of IL-6 and miR-146-5p were nearly equal.

Author Biographies

Rabiha Q. Thajel

Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

Abdulameer M. Ghareeb

Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq

Qays A. M. Al-Khafaji

Consultant Immunologist, Kamal Al-Samarraee Hospital for Infertility and IVF, Baghdad, Iraq

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