Evaluation of changes in miRNAs related to Th17 and regulatory T cells (Treg) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease receiving nanocurcumin supplementation compared with patients receiving placebo

Abstract

Inflammatory responses play a significant role in the development and progression of COPD. Recent studies have shown that nanocurcumin supplementation can protect lung tissue in patients with COPD with modulating effects on the immune system. Nanocurcumin probably does these effects by regulating gene expression and serum levels of certain micro RNAs. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted as a randomized clinical trial on two groups of 40 patients with COPD. After selecting the patients, they were divided into two groups receiving oral nanocurcumin supplement (40 people) with a dose of 80 mg/day and placebo (40 people), both groups had a treatment period of 6 months. After taking samples from both groups and separating plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated using Ficoll and to measure gene expression and serum levels of miRNA-21, miRNA-22 and miRNA-199a5p and gene expression of factors Transcription of Treg and Th17 cells was used. Gene expression and serum levels of miRNAs were measured using Quantitative Real Time PCR. All the steps mentioned were before and after the intervention. Finally, Graphpad Prism software was used for data analysis and p>0.05 was considered as a significant level. Results: The results showed a decrease in gene expression and secretion level of miR-199a5p followed by a significant increase in Foxp3 gene expression in patients with COPD after receiving nanocurcumin compared to before receiving nanocurcumin. And on the other hand, the results indicated a decrease in gene expression and secretion level of miR-21 and miR-22, followed by a decrease in RORγt gene expression in patients with COPD after receiving nanocurcumin compared to before receiving nanocurcumin.