Elham Karimi Sales - Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Sajad Jeddi - Endocrine Physiology Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abbas Ebrahimi-Kalan - Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Mohammad Reza Alipour - Drug Applied Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran

Objective(s): Trans-chalcone as the parent member of the chalcone series reduces circulating levels of insulin and glucose. However, the cellular mechanism of these effects is poorly understood. Sirtuin ۱ (SIRT۱) as a direct target of miR-۳۴a controls homeostasis of glucose, and also improves insulin sensitivity. Therefore, the present study for the first time investigated the influence of trans-chalcone on the miR-۳۴a/SIRT۱ pathway as a possible mechanism for its hypoglycemic and hypoinsulinemic effects. Materials and Methods: In this study, thirty male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n=۱۰): solvent control (NS), oral administration of trans-chalcone for ۲ (N۲T) and ۶ weeks (N۶T) groups. Then, hepatic levels of miR-۳۴a and SIRT۱ were measured through the qRT-PCR method.Results: Trans-chalcone reduced food intake, body weight gain, and serum glucose as well as insulin levels. Also, this chalcone inhibited hepatic miR-۳۴a expression and significantly elevated SIRT۱ mRNA level. Conclusion: Trans-chalcone as an insulin-sensitizing chalcone partly acts through the miR-۳۴a/SIRT۱ pathway.

Liver, MiR-۳۴a, Rat, SIRT۱, Trans-chalcone