Abstract P2042: Down-regulation Of Microrna-16 Improved Selenium Deficiency-induced Cardiac Dysfunction In Rats Through Wnt/β-catenin Signaling

Objective: To investigate the mechanisms and effects of down-regulation of microRNA-16 in selenium deficiency-induced cardiac dysfunction in rats. Methods: Selenium deficiency was induced by low selenium diet. Injection of AAV9-carried microRNA-16 interference was used to down-regulate microRNA-16. Cardiac functions were evaluated by echocardiography and serum BNP concentrations. The expression of microRNA-16 was examined by RT-PCR. Expression levels of wnt, β-catenin, c-myc and caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting. Results: Down-regulation of microRNA-16 in rats with selenium deficiency significantly improved cardiac functions. Meanwhile, the down-regulation of microRNA-16 reduced the expression of wnt1, β-catenin and TCF in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, and the expression of c-myc and caspase-3 were also decreased. Conclusions: The down-regulation of microRNA-16 can improve the cardiac function of rats with selenium deficiency via the inactivation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.