miR-365-3p Regulates Gastrointestinal Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus Rats via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway

Over half of diabetes mellitus (DM) patients suffer from gastrointestinal motility disorders. miR-365-3p is involved in DM progression, but its role in gastrointestinal motility disorders remains unclear. This study explored whether miR-365-3p affects gastrointestinal motility in diabetic rats via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. A DM rat model was established using a high-fat, high-sugar diet and injected with a miR-365-3p mimic/inhibitor. DM symptoms, gastric emptying, intestinal propulsion rates, and gastrointestinal transit time were assessed. HE and TUNEL staining evaluated gastrointestinal pathology and apoptosis. qRT-PCR detected miR-365-3p levels, while ELISA assessed gastrointestinal motility-related factors. Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyzed C-kit, TLR4, and pathway proteins. DM rats exhibited increased body weight, blood glucose, and glucose intolerance, with reduced fasting insulin, confirming successful modeling. miR-365-3p was downregulated in DM rats. Injection of miR-365-3p mimic alleviated DM symptoms, reduced gastrointestinal tissue damage and apoptosis, and improved motility. The TLR4 agonist CRX-527 impaired these effects. In conclusion, miR-365-3p overexpression alleviates DM symptoms, gastrointestinal injury, and motility disorders by inhibiting the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, offering a potential therapeutic target.