RIG-1 expression is associated with sexual malfunctions of female type 2 diabetic patients

The patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) suffer from the malfunctions of the sexual behaviors, and several mechanisms have been proposed to describe these disorders. The innate immunity may be involved in the malfunctions of T2D patients. Melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) and retinoic acid (RA)-inducible gene 1 (RIG-1), as the innate immunity receptors, are the responsible molecules for the activation of some intracellular signaling pathways and the induction of inflammation. Thus, this study aimed to examine the molecules which may participate in the induction/stimulation of sexual malfunctions in the female T2D patients.
Sexual functions were evaluated in 41 female T2D patients using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique was used to quantify MDA5 and RIG-1 mRNA levels.
Results showed that increased RIG-1 mRNA levels were significantly associated with the bad orgasm in the female T2D patients compared to the female patients with good orgasm. Expression of RIG-1 and MDA5 levels were not associated with other sexual functions’ criteria.
The findings of this study demonstrated that bad orgasm is associated with the increased RIG-1 expression. Consequently, the correlation between inflammation and bad orgasm in a RIG-1 dependent manner is suggested.