Introduction
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic diseases recognized by
hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance and insufficient insulin
secretion 1. Growing evidence indicated that chronic
oxidative stress and inflammation closely involved in the pathogenesis
of T2DM and the progression of related complications2,3. Systemic inflammation can affect β‐cell
functionality and promote mitochondrial dysfunction that results in
precedes T2D manifestations and predicts its progression4.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNA which are usually transcribed
by RNA polymerase II 5. They modulate the gene
expression level through their interaction by 3’UTR of the genes which
is eventually lead to RNA degradation 6. The miRNAs
expression is tissue‐specific, but they may be observed in the
circulation 7. Previous studies detected the up
regulation of some miRNAs such as miRNA-146a in diabetic and
hyperglycemic patients whereas, circulating miRNA-126 are reduced8,9. In addition, participating of MicroRNAs in T2D
pathogenesis is indicated through the decline of insulin release and an
increase of pancreatic β‐cell apoptosis 10. So, from a
clinical perspective, the levels of miR‐26a and miR‐146a can be
evaluated in the circulation at different disease stages related to T2D11.
Recently, there has been significant interest in the potential role of
food antioxidants in controlling lipid peroxidation, diabetes-induced
inflammation and modulating microRNAs 12,13.
Astaxanthin (AST) is a carotenoid belongs to the xanthophyll family and
common pigment in algae and fish 14. Recent studies
demonstrated the antioxidant effect of Astaxanthin on in the treatment
and prevention of diabetes 15. However, few studies
assessed the efficacy of AST on circulating miRNAs, and reducing
inflammation and oxidative stress in diabetes patients. Therefore, this
study was aimed to determinate the effects of AST supplementation on the
expression of miR-146a and miR-126 , MDA and inflammation
in patients with type 2 diabetes.