[Circular RNA in Diabetes and its Complications].

Circular RNA (circRNA) is a special group of non-coding RNA.Unlike linear RNA,circRNA is a closed circular structure formed by reverse splicing of pre-mRNA,with highly stable expression and wide distribution in eukaryotes.CircRNA has multiple functions by acting as microRNA sponges or binding with RNA-binding proteins.They can be used as biomarkers for many diseases.The latest research shows that circRNA plays a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus and the related chronic complications.In this review,we summarized the current progress and underlying mechanisms of circRNA in diabetes mellitus and the related complications.

Alpha-lipoic acid downregulates TRPV1 receptor via NF-κB and attenuates neuropathic pain in rats with diabetes.

AIMS: Painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) is a refractory complication of diabetes. The study aimed to investigate the role of α-lipoic acid (ALA) on the regulation of transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1) in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons of rats with diabetes. METHODS: Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings were employed to measure neuronal excitability in DiI-labeled DRG neurons of control and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to determine the expression and location of NF-κBp65 and TRPV1. RESULTS: STZ-induced hindpaw pain hypersensitivity and neuronal excitability in L4-6 DRG neurons were attenuated by intraperitoneal injection with ALA once a day lasted for one week. TRPV1 expression was enhanced in L4-6 DRGs of diabetic rats compared with age-matched control rats, which was also suppressed by ALA treatment. In addition, TRPV1 and p65 colocated in the same DRG neurons. The expression of p65 was upregulated in L4-6 DRGs of diabetic rats. Inhibition of p65 signaling using recombinant lentiviral vectors designated as LV-NF-κBp65 siRNA remarkably suppressed TRPV1 expression. Finally, p65 expression was downregulated by ALA treatment. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrated that ALA may alleviate neuropathic pain in diabetes by regulating TRPV1 expression via affecting NF-κB.