Expression of microRNA-21 and PTEN Protein in the Alveolar Bone of Type 2 Diabetic Patients

Objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus may adversely affects bone health by mechanisms still unclarified. Recently, microRNAs emerged as potential players of diabetes complications. microRNA-21, one of the most highly expressed microRNAs in a majority of mammalian cells, has been shown to control diabetes progression by regulating one of its target genes-phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). Having in mind that microRNA-21 is involved in bone metabolism by promoting osteoclastogenesis, we aimed to investigate the expression levels of microRNA-21 and PTEN protein in the alveolar bone samples of type 2 diabetic patients.
Methods: The thirty patients, healthy and type 2 diabetic, were referred for multi- rooted teeth extractions utilizing conventional surgical technique prior to implant placement. The alveolar bone specimens obtained during the surgery were used for the measurements of microRNA-21 expression by Real-time RT-PCR as well as of PTEN protein by ELISA
Results: Expression levels of microRNA-21 and PTEN protein were higher in the bone samples of type 2 diabetic compared to healthy patients (5.273 ± 0.1163 vs 3.968 ± 0.1815 for microRNA-21, and 225.0 ± 55.13 vs 93.11 ± 23.61 pg/ml for PTEN). microRNA-21 also showed significant positive correlation with PTEN protein levels.
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Conclusions: microRNA-21 and associated PTEN protein expression levels are enhanced in the diabetic alveolar bone indicating altered bone metabolism in type 2 diabetes mellitus