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Investigation of miR-26b and miR-27b expressions and the effect of quercetin on fibrosis in experimental pulmonary fibrosis

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Abstract

In this study, investigation of the effects of Quercetin on Bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis and fibrosis-associated molecules miR-26b and miR-27b was aimed. Control group was given 10% saline on the 0th day, and saline was administered for 21 days starting from the 8th day. Group 2 was given 50 mg/kg Quercetin for 21 days starting from the 8th day. Group 3 was given 10 mg/kg Bleomycin Sulfate on day 0, and sacrificed on the 22nd and 29th day. Group 4 was given 10 mg/kg Bleomycin Sulfate on the 0th day, and was given 50 mg/kg Quercetin for 14 days, and 21 days starting from day 8. Lung tissues were examined using light and electron microscopic, immunohistochemical and molecular biological methods. Injury groups revealed impaired alveolar structure, collagen accumulation and increased inflammatory cells in interalveolar septum. Fibrotic response was decreased and the alveolar structure was improved with Quercetin treatment. α-SMA expressions were higher in the injury groups, but lower in the treatment groups compared to the injury groups. E-cadherin expressions were decreased in the injury groups and showed stronger immunoreactivity in the treatment groups compared to the injury groups. miR-26b and miR-27b expressions were lower in the injury groups than the control groups, and higher in the treatment groups than the injury groups. Quercetin can be considered as a new treatment agent in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, since it increases the expression levels of miR-26b and miR-27b which decrease in fibrosis, and has therapeutic effects on the histopathological changes.

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Funding

This study was supported by a grant from Cukurova University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (Project number: TTU-2020-12927).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Çukurova University, 01330, Adana, Turkey

    Çağrı Toker, Yurdun Kuyucu, Dilek Şaker, Samet Kara, Bilge Güzelel & Ufuk Özgü Mete

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  1. Çağrı Toker
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  2. Yurdun Kuyucu
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  4. Samet Kara
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Contributions

Ç.T. contributed to the study design, and was responsible for data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and for writing of the manuscript. Y.K. was responsible for data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and for writing of the manuscript. D.Ş., S.K. and B.G. were responsible for data acquisition and interpretation. U.Ö.M. was responsible for the study design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation of the data, and for writing of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Yurdun Kuyucu.

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Toker, Ç., Kuyucu, Y., Şaker, D. et al. Investigation of miR-26b and miR-27b expressions and the effect of quercetin on fibrosis in experimental pulmonary fibrosis. J Mol Histol 55, 25–35 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-023-10168-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-023-10168-z

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