We observed that 8 mg of the AST
supplementation significantly reduced the expression level of miR-146-a.
Moreover, our results displayed that inhibition of miR‐146a expression
associated with a moderated release of IL-6 and MDA. However, the high
expression level of miR-126 in AST-supplemented patients was not
significant. This specific effect of AST on miR‐146a expression behavior
might be the consequence of a pro‐inflammatory component of the T2D. In
this regard, the results from the other studies showed that miR‐146a
relative expression was associated with an inflammatory marker in the
T2D patients18. Also, the modulatory effect of some
antioxidants on circulating MicroRNAs was examined in previous studies
and suggested to consider as a novel therapeutic target in disease
management in many literature19,20. Morales et al,
stated the potential effect of polyphenols extracted from red wine as
antioxidant increased plasma MicroRNAs in a dose-dependent manner. Also,
the up regulation of MicroRNAs and attenuated the expression of
pro-inflammatory cytokines was confirmed by treating cells with mango
extracting
rat21.
Moreover, in context to placebo group, we indicated that the expression
of miR‐146a was augmented during the intervention and associated with
raised IL-6 and MDA which is consistent with previous
studies18. Also in a study conducted by22, a positive correlation was observed between
miR‐146a levels and concentration of inflammatory mediators, whereas,
elevated miR‐146a inhibited the production of IL-6 and IL-21 in T cells.
These results in consistent with our obtained results. In addition,
several studies revealed that miR‐146a, is overexpressed in type 2
diabetes patients compared with healthy controls8,22,
which it described serum miRNAs as a explore DM biomarkers. Furthermore,
the results from the present study were in line with previous report and
show that high hyperglycemia significantly reduced miR-126 release, the
most abundant miRNAs in endothelial apoptotic bodies, from endothelial
cells23. And loss of miR- 126 has been proposed
as a predictor of type 2 diabetes onset24.
However, this is the first study that assesses the effect of AST on
circulating miRNAs and we have a lack of experiments comparing the
potential effect of AST supplementation on diabetes patients with other
studies. In addition, short study duration may affect the process of
genetic outcome and we could not demonstrate antioxidant agents of AST
on modulating plasma miR-126 levels through reducing inflammatory
pathways. So further larger sample size studies are urgent to achieve
this goal and our findings should be considered preliminary and the
requirement for further studies is indicated.