The Effects of Lucilia sericata Larval Secretions on The Expressions of MicroRNAs that are Suggested to be Related with Wound Healing in Experimental Diabetic Rat Wound Model

Objective: Normal wound healing is achieved by a cascade of many cellular activities. This process is affected by some of the metabolic diseases like Diabetes Mellitus (DM). DM causes bad prognosis and is one of the major contributors to chronic wound healing problems. Recently, Lucilia sericata larvae are used for wound healing as they are very effective agents in wound healing process. It’s still unclear that how the larvae affect the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways of chronic wound healing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can induce gene expression in post-transcriptional mechanisms. In this study, our aim was to determine whether the larvae secretions could change the expression patterns of selected miRNAs on the diabetic microenvironment. Methods: Wistar Albino rats were classified as diabetic and nondiabetic, then full thickness cutaneous wounds were created at the dorsal region of rats. Wound tissues were collected on days 0, 3, 7 and 14 post wounding. The association between miR21, miR146a, miR146b and miR29a gene expression profiles and wound healing process was investigated by using Real Time polymerase chain reaction method. Results: The increase in expression of miR21 gene in diabetics treatment group was seen most on 3rd day compared with diabetics control group. An increase in expression profiles of miR146a, miR146b and miR29 genes was seen most in larval treatment group compared withdiabetics control group. Conclusion: Our results have shown that larval secretion in wounds formed in diabetic rats affects the expression of miRNAs associated with wound healing process. Larval secretion therapy has been shown to increase wound healing and reduce inflammatory response by altering the expression of miR146a in diabetic rats