Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Archives of Dermatological Research, cilt.318, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Prolonged ultraviolet (UV) exposure remains a major public health issue due to increasing environmental changes and outdoor activities. Overexposure to UV radiation accelerates skin aging, induces DNA damage, and increases the risk of skin cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating cellular responses to oxidative stress and apoptosis. Among these, miR-330-3p has recently been identified as a potential modulator of cell survival pathways; however, its role in UV-induced skin damage remains unclear. The present study aimed to identify the target genes of miR-330-3p through in silico analysis and to evaluate its protective effects against UV exposure in vivo. In silico target prediction was conducted using five databases (miRDB, TargetScanHuman, miRWalk, TarBase, and DIANA‑miRGENE). Bioinformatic analysis revealed that miR-330-3p is associated with DNA transcription regulation, melanoma progression, apoptosis, and cellular protection pathways. Based on these findings, an in vivo UV-exposure model was established using Wistar albino male rats. The UV and treatment protocols were applied daily for 30 days. Full-thickness skin samples were collected for histopathological, apoptotic, and molecular analyses. Histopathological evaluation revealed that the miR-330-3p-treated group exhibited preserved epidermal architecture and reduced epidermal thickening compared to the UV-only group. TUNEL analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in apoptotic cell count in the miR-330-3p-treated samples. Furthermore, gene expression analysis indicated a 4.5-fold upregulation of CDKN1B, suggesting enhanced regulation of the cell cycle and inhibition of UV-induced apoptosis. In conclusion, topical miR-330-3p application effectively alleviated UV-induced skin damage by reducing apoptosis and preserving tissue structure. These findings suggest that miR-330-3p acts as a protective regulator against UV-mediated cellular injury and could serve as a promising therapeutic candidate for preventing photoaging and UV-induced skin carcinogenesis.