Synergistic Actions of Vitamin D and 5-Amino Salicylic Acid in DSS Induced Ulcerative Colitis Mouse Model: Expression Pattern of miRNA-92b-3p as A Biomarker Candidate in Ulcerative Colitis

Abstract

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the colon, and its incidence is rising worldwide. The pathogenesis is multifactorial, involving genetic predisposition, epithelial barrier defects, dysregulated immune responses, and environmental factors. The present study was under taken to observe the synergistic effect of Vitamin D (VD) and 5-Amino Salicylic Acid (5-ASA) in Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS) induced colitis mouse model and to establish serum miRNA-92b-3p as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of UC. Experimental UC was induced in Swiss albino mice by 2% DSS solution as their drinking water for 10 days. The study design included five groups, with five mice allocated to each group (n=5 per group). VD (2280 IU/kg), 5-ASA (100 mg/kg) and VD combined with 5-ASA was used as treatment in three individual group. Fourth group received only 2% DSS solution which is used as positive control and fifth group received only water (negative control). Body weight changes through the experiment, histological changes of colon were examined to assess the efficacy of treatment. Expression pattern of MiRNA-92b-3p was measured by RT-qPCR to evaluate the impact of treatment on molecular level. VD combined with 5-ASA treatment group attenuated the wight loss significantly and showed good weight recovery rather than only VD and only 5-ASA treatment group. Histological examination indicated that VD and 5-ASA together significantly suppressed mucosal damage and the loss of crypts induced by DSS. Fold expression of miRNA-92b-3p in the combined treatment group was found nearest to the negative control group and the p-value of CT value is found significant (<0.05) in statistical analysis. Additionally, Increased VD level in mice serum reduced the expression of miRNA-92b-3p. In summary, 5-ASA in combination with VD gives superior protection to the epithelial barrier of colon while only 5-ASA or VD are less protective against UC and miRNA-92b-3p shows promising reflex to treatment which may establish it as a diagnostic biomarker.