PRELIMINARY FINDINGS OF TLR2 AND TLR4 EXPRESSION IN PRETERM NEONATES WITH NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. Despite significant advances made in the prevention and treatment of disease so far, there has not been much change in the rate of mortality and morbidity associated with NEC. Although the factors affecting the development of necrotizing enterocolitis are not yet known precisely, prematurity is thought to be the most important risk factor for the development of NEC. This study aims to determine toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4 expression levels in preterm neonates. A total of 50 preterm infants (patient: 42, control: 8) were included in the study. TLR2 and TLR4 expression levels were analysed by the RT-qPCR method. While there was no difference in infants' birth weight (g), gestational age (months), mother's age (years), father's age (years), and WBC (109/L); HGB (g/dL) and RBC (1012/L) were found to be significantly higher in the group with NEC (p<0.05). When TLR2 and TLR4 relative gene expression levels of neonates were evaluated (log2), it was determined that there was a significant difference between the two groups (below 1500 g) (p<0.001). TLR4 relative expression (2^-ddCt, above 1500 g) was higher in the NEC group than in the healthy group, while TLR2 relative expression (2^-ddCt, above 1500 g) was higher in the healthy group. TLR2 and TLR4 have been shown to have prominent roles in the development of NEC in experimental animal models and it would be significant to support this with human studies/animal models for a better understanding of the disease. Thus, it is recommended that future studies be carried out on experimental models that better replicate the human body, and dietary factors should be examined in detail.