MicroRNAs are differentially altered by ethanol and caffeine consumption in the rat prostate

SUMMARY Simultaneous ingestion of ethanol and caffeine has become popular among young people and teenagers. Intake of caffeine simultaneously with alcohol consumption may increase the risk of alcohol abuse and dependence. Adenosinergic pathways are protective, and caffeine has a non-selective antagonistic role on adenosinergic receptors. Thus, it is assumed that caffeine consumption can interfere with cellular processes inherent to inflammatory mechanisms and may attenuate the onset of inflammation. MicroRNAs play a significant role in cellular and physiological functions and can be altered by consuming ethanol and other substances associated with the modulation of the inflammatory response. This study aimed to identify changes in the expression of microRNAs involved in inflammatory processes and adenosinergic pathways in the prostate, resulting from the interaction between ethanol and caffeine. Male UChB and Wistar rats, aged 5 months, were divided into the following groups (n=15/group): 1. UChB (UChB rats receiving a 10% ethanol solution and water ad libitum); 2. UChB caffeine (UChB rats receiving a 10% ethanol solution with 3g/L caffeine and water ad libitum); 3. Control (Wistar rats receiving only water ad libitum). Animals’ prostate was collected and processed for RT-PCR techniques for miRNAs 155-5p, 146a-5p, 126-3p, - 132-3p, 339-5p. Both ethanol and caffeine consumption modulated the expression of miRNAs related to the inflammatory process and adenosinergic pathways in the tissue of UChB animals. Caffeine may act as a protector of the prostate tissue.