Intraperitoneal Injection Of Doxorubicin Research Articles

Cynaroside regulates the AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway to inhibit doxorubicin-induced cardiomyocyte pyroptosis.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a commonly administered chemotherapy drug for treating hematological malignancies and solid tumors; however, its clinical application is limited by significant cardiotoxicity. Cynaroside (Cyn) is a flavonoid glycoside distributed in honeysuckle, with confirmed potential biological functions in regulating inflammation, pyroptosis, and oxidative stress. Herein, the effects of Cyn were evaluated in a DOX-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) mouse model, which was established by intraperitoneal injections of DOX (5 mg/kg) once a week for three weeks. The mice in the treatment group received dexrazoxane, MCC950, and Cyn every two days. Blood biochemistry, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and western blotting were conducted to investigate the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of Cyn treatment. The results demonstrated the significant benefits of Cyn treatment in mitigating DIC; it could effectively alleviate oxidative stress to a certain extent, maintain the equilibrium of cell apoptosis, and enhance the cardiac function of mice. These effects were realized via regulating the transcription levels of pyroptosis-related genes, such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, and gasdermin D (GSDMD). Mechanistically, for DOX-induced myocardial injury, Cyn could significantly modulate the expression of pivotal genes, including adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), sirtuin 3 (SIRT3), and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). We attribute it to the mediation of AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway, which plays a central role in preventing DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury. In conclusion, the present study confirms the therapeutic potential of Cyn in DIC by regulating the AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway.

α-Bisabolol: A Dietary Sesquiterpene that Attenuates Apoptotic and Nonapoptotic Cell Death Pathways by Regulating the Mitochondrial Biogenesis and Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress-Hippo Signaling Axis in Doxorubicin-Induced Acute Cardiotoxicity in Rats.

The potential for multiorgan toxicities is a significant barrier to the therapeutic use of doxorubicin (DOX) in cancer treatment. With regard to DOX-induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats, the current investigation sought to assess the cardioprotective function of α-bisabolol (BSB) as well as the underlying pharmacological and molecular processes. Acute cardiotoxicity was induced in the rats by the intraperitoneal injection of DOX (12.5 mg/kg, single dosage). Over the course of 5 days, the rats were administered 25 mg/kg of BSB orally twice a day. The DOX administration induced cardiac damage, as evidenced by altered cardiospecific diagnostic markers and macroscopic enzyme mapping assay. The occurrence of mitochondrial oxidative stress was observed by a significant decline in antioxidant defense along with an increase in lipid peroxidation. DOX also perturbed DNA damage, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitochondrial fission and dysfunction, ER stress, Hippo signaling, and caspase-dependent and independent apoptosis including necroptosis and ferroptosis in the myocardium of rats. Conversely, it has been noted that the administration of BSB preserves the myocardium and reverses all cellular, molecular, and structural disruptions in the cardiac tissues of rats exposed to DOX-induced toxicity. The results that are currently available unequivocally show the cardioprotective role of BSB in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. This effect is attributed to BSB's strong antioxidant, antilipid peroxidative, and antiapoptotic properties, which are mediated by advantageous changes in multiple signaling pathways.

Cardioprotective effect of chelidonic acid against doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity in rats

Introduction and objectivesThe current study evaluates the effect of chelidonic acid on doxorubicin-induced cardiac toxicity. Chelidonic acid (CA) is a natural pyran-skeleton heterocyclic compound found in rhizomes of the perennial plant, celandine (Chelidonium majus). MethodsWistar rats were given an intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (1.25 mg/kg, cumulative dose of 20 mg/kg) four times per week for a duration of four weeks to induce cardiotoxicity. CA treatment (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg orally for four weeks) was started together with doxorubicin. ResultsCA treatment reduced myocardial damage and improved cardiac dysfunction in doxorubicin-treated rats. It improved blood pressure, restored ST wave height and normalized the QTc interval compared to the rats treated only with doxorubicin. Administration of CA for four weeks reduced left ventricular end-diastolic pressure. Moreover, CA treatment decreased the level of cardiac markers such as creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and cardiac troponin-T. Masson's trichrome, hematoxylin, and eosin staining of heart tissue revealed that CA attenuated the deleterious effects of doxorubicin and prevented further damage and fibrosis in rats. ConclusionThe study findings confirm that CA treatment can protect the myocardium against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

Effects of Luhong Yixin Granules on myocardial fibrosis in heart failure rats based on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway

To investigate the effects of Luhong Yixin Granules on myocardial fibrosis in rats with heart failure and its possible mechanism, a total of 60 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, and low-, medium-and high-dose Luhong Yixin Granules groups, with 12 rats in each group. Except for those in the control group, rats in the other groups were induced by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin(DOX) into a rat model. After the Luhong Yixin Granules were dissolved in the same amount of normal saline, they were given by gavage at low, medium and high doses(2.8, 5.6, 11.2 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and the control group and the model group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 40 days. After the end of dosing, echocardiography was used to measure left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS). Rat body weight(BW) and heart weight(HW) were calculated as HW/BW. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-17(IL-17), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), growth stimulation expressed gene 2 protein(ST2), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP), galectin-3(Gal-3) and creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB) in serum. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of myocardial tissue. Western blot and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1, Smad3, Smad7, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), and collagen Ⅰ(COL-Ⅰ), respectively. RESULTS:: showed that compared with those in the control group, LVEF, LVFS, and HW/BW in the model group were decreased(P<0.05), and the levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1, ST2, NT-proBNP, Gal-3, and CK-MB were increased(P<0.05). HE staining showed inflammatory changes in myocardial tissue; Masson staining showed decreases in the cross-sectional area and ventricular cavity area of the heart, and myocardial fibrosis of varying degrees(P<0.05). The protein and mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1, Smad3, α-SMA, and COL-Ⅰ were increased(P<0.05), and the protein and mRNA expression of Smad7 protein was decreased(P<0.01). Compared with those in the model group, LVEF, LVFS and HW/BW of the low-, medium-and high-dose Luhong Yixin Granules groups were increased(P<0.05), and the levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1, ST2, NT-proBNP, Gal-3 and CK-MB were decreased(P<0.05). HE staining showed gradually reduced inflammatory changes of myocardial tissue, and Masson staining showed increased cross-sectional area and ventricular cavity area of the heart and decreased area of myocardial fibrosis(P<0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-17, TNF-α, TGF-β1, Smad3, α-SMA, and COL-Ⅰ were decreased(P<0.05), while the protein and mRNA expression levels of Smad7 were increased(P<0.05). Luhong Yixin Granules may be of great value in the treatment of heart failure by regulating the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway, inhibiting the expression of inflammation-related proteins, reducing the deposition of extracellular matrix, and alleviating myocardial fibrosis.

Turmeric Extract-loaded Selenium Nanoparticles Counter Doxorubicin-induced Hepatotoxicity in Mice via Repressing Oxidative Stress, Inflammatory Cytokines, and Cell Apoptosis.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an antitumor anthracycline used to treat a variety of malignancies; however, its clinical use is associated with noticeable hepatotoxicity. Therefore, the current study was designed to delineate if biosynthesized SeNPs with turmeric extract (Tur-SeNPs) could alleviate DOX-induced hepatic adverse effects. Mice were orally post-treated with Tur extract, Tur-SeNPs, or N-acetyl cysteine after the intraperitoneal injection of DOX. Our findings have unveiled a remarkable liver attenuating effect in DOX-injected mice post-treated with Tur-SeNPs. High serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, and total bilirubin induced by DOX were significantly decreased by Tur-SeNPs therapy. Furthermore, Tur-SeNPs counteracted DOX-caused hepatic oxidative stress, indicated by decreased MDA and NO levels along with elevated levels of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR, GSH, and mRNA expression levels of Nrf-2. Noteworthily, decreased hepatic IL-1β, TNF-α, and NF-κB p65 levels in addition to downregulated iNOS gene expression in Tur-SeNPs-treated mice have indicated their potent antiinflammatory impact. Post-treatment with Tur-SeNPs also mitigated the hepatic apoptosis evoked by DOX injection. A liver histological examination confirmed the biochemical and molecular findings. In brief, the outcomes have demonstrated Tur loaded with nanoselenium to successfully mitigate the liver damage induced by DOX via blocking oxidative stress, and inflammatory and apoptotic signaling.

Elucidation for the pharmacological effects and mechanism of Shen Bai formula in treating myocardial injury based on energy metabolism and serum metabolomic approaches

Ethnopharmacological relevanceShen Bai formula (SBF) is a proven effective traditional Chinese medicine for treating viral myocarditis (VMC) sequelae in clinic, and myocardial injury is the pathological basis of VMC sequelae. However, the pharmacological action and mechanism of SBF have not been systematically elucidated. Aim of the studyIn present research, the doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury rat model was used to evaluate the efficacy of SBF, and energy metabolism and metabolomics approaches were applied to elucidate the effects of SBF on myocardial injury. Materials and methodsThrough energy metabolism measurement system and UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS oriented blood metabolomics, directly reflected the therapeutic effect of SBF at a macro level, and identified biomarkers of myocardial injury in microcosmic, revealing its metabolomic mechanism. ResultsResults showed that SBF significantly improved the electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate (HR), extent of myocardial tissue lesion, and ratio of heart and spleen. In addition, the serum levels of AST, CK, LDH, α-HBDH, cTnI, BNP, and MDA decreased, whereas SOD and ATP activity and content increased. Moreover, SBF increased locomotor activity and basic daily metabolism in rats with myocardial injury, restoring their usual level of energy metabolism. A total of 45 potential metabolomic biomarkers were identified. Among them, 44 biomarkers were significantly recalled by SBF, including representative biomarkers arachidonic acid (AA), 12-HETE, prostaglandin J2 (PGJ2), 15-deoxy-Δ-12,14-PGJ2, 15-keto-PGE2, 15(S)-HPETE, 15(S)-HETE, 8,11,14-eicosatrienoic acid and 9(S)-HODE, which involved AA metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid metabolism. ConclusionWe successfully replicated a myocardial injury rat model with the intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin, and elucidated the mechanism of SBF in treating myocardial injury. This key mechanism may be achieved by targeting action on COX, Alox, CYP, and 15-PGDH to increase or decrease the level of myocardial injury biomarker, and then emphatically interven in AA metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and linoleic acid metabolism, and participate in regulating purine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, and steroid hormone synthesis.

Prospective affirmative therapeutics of cannabidiol oil mitigates doxorubicin-induced abnormalities in kidney function, inflammation, and renal tissue changes

Nephropathy is the decline in kidney function. A promising treatment for numerous types of illness is using natural materials as natural chemical compounds. The inquiry was conducted to investigate cannabidiol (CBD) potential for renal syndrome protection. The five equal groups of fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 150 ± 25 g each were designed; group I received distilled water orally, while group II got an intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (18 mg/kg bwt). Group III received CBD (26 mg/kg bwt) orally, while group IV received 1 ml of CBD (26 mg/kg bwt) and group V received trimetazidine (10 mg/kg bwt), in addition to a single intraperitoneal dose of doxorubicin (18 mg/kg bwt) on the 11th day for both groups (IV, V). The administration of CBD (26 mg/kg bwt) led to a noticeable improvement in oxidative stress parameters (SOD and GSH) in rats by significantly lowering enzyme activity (ALT and AST), as well as serum creatinine and urea, IL-6, and MDA, confirming the anti-inflammatory accuracy of CBD linked to significant lowering to IL6R DNA frequency concentration in line with histopathology results. As a result of its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant capabilities, cannabidiol may have protective quality, and CBD medication could be related to controlling renal problems.

Immunoregulatory and Anti-cancer Activities of Combination Treatment of Novel Four-Herb Formula and Doxorubicin in 4T1-Breast Cancer Bearing Mice.

To investigate the in vivo immunomodulatory and anti-tumor mechanisms of the combined treatment of novel Four-Herb formula (4HF) and doxorubicin in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Murine-derived triple-negative mammary carcinoma cell line, 4T1 cells, was cultured and inoculated into mouse mammary glands. Sixty-six mice were randomly assigned into 6 groups (n=11 in ench): naïve, control, LD 4HF (low dose 4HF), HD 4HF (high dose 4HF), LD 4HF + D (low dose and doxorubicin), and D (doxorubicin). Apart from the naïve group, each mouse received subcutaneous inoculation with 5 × 105 4T1 cells resuspended in 100 µL of normal saline in the mammary fat pads. Starting from the day of tumor cell inoculation, tumors were grown for 6 days. The LD and HD groups received daily oral gavage of 658 and 2,630 mg/kg 4HF, respectively. The LD 4HF+D group received daily oral gavage of 658 mg/kg 4HF and weekly intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (5 mg/kg). The D group received weekly intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (5 mg/kg). The treatment naïve mice received daily oral gavage of 0.2 mL double distilled water and 0.1 mL normal saline via intraperitoneal injection once a week. The control group received daily oral gavage of 0.2 mL double-distilled water. The treatment period was 30 days. At the end of treatment, mice organs were harvested to analyze immunological activities via immunophenotyping, gene and multiplex analysis, histological staining, and gut microbiota analysis. Mice treated with the combination of 4HF and doxorubicin resulted in significantly reduced tumor and spleen burdens (P<0.05), altered the hypoxia and overall immune lymphocyte landscape, and manipulated gut microbiota to favor the anti-tumor immunological activities. Moreover, immunosuppressive genes, cytokines, and chemokines such as C-C motif chemokine 2 and interleukin-10 of tumors were significantly downregulated (P<0.05). 4HF-doxorubicin combination treatment demonstrated synergetic activities and was most effective in activating the anti-tumor immune response (P<0.05). The above results provide evidence for evaluating the immune regulating mechanisms of 4HF in breast cancer and support its clinical significance in its potential as an adjunctive therapeutic agent or immune supplement.

Hydrogen inhalation enhances autophagy via the AMPK/mTOR pathway, thereby attenuating doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury.

Doxorubicin is a drug widely used in clinical cancer treatment, but severe cardiotoxicity limits its clinical application. Autophagy disorder is an important factor in the mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiac injury. As the smallest molecule in nature, hydrogen has various biological effects such as anti-oxidation, anti-apoptosis and regulation of autophagy. Hydrogen therapy is currently considered to be an emerging therapeutic method, but the effect and mechanism of hydrogen on doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of hydrogen inhalation on doxorubicin-induced chronic myocardial injury and its effect and mechanism on autophagy. In this study, we established a chronic heart injury model by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin in rats for 30days, accumulating 20mg/kg. The effect of hydrogen inhalation on the cardiac function in rats was explored by echocardiography, Elisa, and H&E staining. To clarify the influence of autophagy, we detected the expression of LC3 and related autophagy proteins in vivo and in vitro by immunofluorescence and western blot.In order to further explore the mechanism of autophagy, we added pathway inhibitors and used western blot to preliminarily investigate the protective effect of hydrogen inhalation on myocardial injury caused by doxorubicin. Hydrogen inhalation can improve doxorubicin-induced cardiac function decline and pathological structural abnormalities in rats. It was confirmed by immunofluorescence that hydrogen treatment could restore the expression of autophagy marker protein LC3 (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3) in cardiomyocytes reduced by doxorubicin, while reducing cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Mechanistically, Western blot results consistently showed that hydrogen treatment up-regulated the ratio of p-AMPK (phosphorylated AMP-dependent protein kinase) to AMPK and down-regulated p-mTOR (phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin) and mTOR ratio. These results suggest that hydrogen inhalation can activate autophagy through the AMPK/mTOR pathway and protect against myocardial injury induced by doxorubicin. Hydrogen inhalation therapy may be a potential treatment for doxorubicin-induced myocardial injury.

Potential protective role of apelin-13 in the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in the rat

Due to its unselective action, chemotherapy affects not only cancer cells but also a variety of normal human cells causing several toxicities, thus leading to decreased anticancer efficacy. One of such toxicities is cardiotoxicity caused by anthracyclines, mainly doxorubicin (DOX). Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) generally occurs as a chronic process and resembles chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. Based on the data about the role of the apelinergic system in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases like heart failure, we hypothesize that it can be also involved in the DIC. Dysregulation of the apelinergic system has been observed in heart failure or myocardial infarction, which was confirmed in studies when apelinergic stimulation resulted in a cardioprotective effect.The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of apelin-13 on echocardiographic parameters in the DIC in the rat.The study was performed in a rat model (male Sprague Dawley, 12 weeks old) of cardiotoxicity. The animals were randomly divided on 3 groups (control, DOX, apelin 40 μg/kg). The cardiotoxicity was induced by 4 intraperitoneal injections of DOX in a dose of 3,5 mg/kg every 7 days with control group receiving saline. All animals were implanted with osmotic pumps to receive a continuous infusion of apelin-13 or saline (control) for 4 weeks, concomitantly with DOX. Immediately before the first dose echo examination was performed. The same procedure was repeated on day 28 days after the last dose of DOX. Later, animals were euthanized and heart samples were collected.Echocardiographic parameters in DOX group compered to control group showed left ventricle (LV) systolic dysfunction, with significant deterioration of LV ejection fraction (LVEF) (66±2.55% vs. 90±4.88), fractional shortening (%FS) (31,67±2.2% vs 55,33±4.45), stroke volume/tibial length ratio (0.041±0.008ml/cm vs 0.064±0.02), and cardiac output/tibial length ratio (10.35±2.12ml/min/cm vs 17.04±4.08). Apelin-13 at a dose of 40 μg/kg reduced the toxic effects of DOX. Furthermore, the heart weight in the group with DOX was significantly smaller than in the control group, while in the group receiving continuous infusion of apelin-13 at a dose 40 μg/kg the heart weight was very similar to control group.The results indicate that continuous exposure to apelin-13 in dose 40 μg/kg has a cardioprotective effect in echocardiographic and clinical parameters. Evaluating the role of the apelinergic system will help us to better understand the pathomechanisms of cardiotoxicity and in the future may result in the development of protective or curative therapies. Acknowledgments: This study was supported by the Grant No UMO-2020/37/B/NZ5/02529 from the National Science Center (Poland). This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2023 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

Astragaloside IV Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis via Activation of Nrf-2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway and Protects against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Dysfunction.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective broad-spectrum antitumor drug, but its clinical application is limited due to the side effects of cardiac damage. Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) is a significant active component of Astragalus membranaceus that exerts cardioprotective effects through various pathways. However, whether AS-IV exerts protective effects against DOX-induced myocardial injury by regulating the pyroptosis is still unknown and is investigated in this study. The myocardial injury model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of DOX, and AS-IV was administered via oral gavage to explore its specific protective mechanism. Cardiac function and cardiac injury indicators, including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and histopathology of the cardiomyocytes were assessed 4 weeks post DOX challenge. Serum levels of IL-1β, IL-18, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and the expression of pyroptosis and signaling proteins were also determined. Cardiac dysfunction was observed after the DOX challenge, as evidenced by reduced ejection fraction, increased myocardial fibrosis, and increased BNP, LDH, cTnI, and CK-MB levels (p < 0.05, N = 3-10). AS-IV attenuated DOX-induced myocardial injury. The mitochondrial morphology and structure were also significantly damaged after DOX treatment, and these changes were restored after AS-IV treatment. DOX induced an increase in the serum levels of IL-1β, IL-18, SOD, MDA and GSH as well as an increase in the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (p < 0.05, N = 3-6). Besides, AS-IV depressed myocardial inflammatory-related pyroptosis via activation of the expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf-2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) (p < 0.05, N = 3). Our results showed that AS-IV had a significant protective effect against DOX-induced myocardial injury, which may be associated with the activation of Nrf-2/HO-1 to inhibit pyroptosis.

Low-Dose Radiation Reduces Doxorubicin-Induced Myocardial Injury Through Mitochondrial Pathways.

The use of doxorubicin (DOX) as an anthraquinone antineoplastic agent is limited due to its cardiotoxicity. Our previous study suggested that low-dose radiation (LDR) could mitigate the cardiotoxicity induced by DOX via suppressing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis. However, the molecular targets and protective mechanism of LDR are not understood. In the present study, we sought to investigate the mechanisms underlying LDR's cardioprotection. Balb/c mice were randomly divided into four groups: Control group (no treatment), DOX group, LDR group (75mGy), and LDR-72h-DOX group (LDR pretreatment followed by intraperitoneal injection of DOX). Electron microscopy, PCR, and Western blot analyses indicated that LDR pretreatment mitigated changes in mitochondrial morphology caused by DOX, upregulated activity of mitochondrial complexes, and restored ATP levels in cardiomyocytes that were decreased by DOX. Whole genome microarray and PCR analyses showed that mitochondrial-related genes were altered by LDR pretreatment. Thus, our study showed that LDR can protect cardiomyocytes against DOX through improving mitochondrial function and increasing ATP production. This research could inform DOX chemotherapy strategies and provide new insight into the molecule mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective effects of LDR.

The Protective Effect of Lasia spinosa (Linn.) Dissipates Chemical-Induced Cardiotoxicity in an Animal Model.

Lasia spinosa (L.) Thwaites is a medicinal plant of enormous traditional use with insufficient scientific evidence. This research screened the antioxidative effect of L. spinosa extracts by measuring the total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, DPPH free radical scavenging activity, ABTS scavenging activity, Iron-chelating activity, and Ferric reducing power followed by an evaluation of in vivo cardioprotective effect in doxorubicin-induced Wistar Albino rats. Phytochemical characterization was made by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopic analysis. L. spinosa showed an excellent antioxidative effect while methanol leaf extract (LSM) was found to be more potent than ethyl acetate leaf extract (LSE) in scavenging the free radicals. Intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin caused a significant (P < 0.001) increase in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK-MB), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Cardiac troponin I. Pretreatment with orally administrated (LSM100 and LSM200 mg/kg b.w.) daily for 10days showed a decrease in the cardiac markers, lipid profiles, especially triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and an increase of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) compared to the disease control group. LSM200 was found to significantly (P < 0.05) decrease the levels of CK-MB and LDH. It also restored TC, TG, and LDL levels compared to the doxorubicin-induced cardiac control group. The protective role of LSM was further confirmed by histopathological examination. This study thus demonstrates that L. spinosa methanol extract could be approached as an alternative supplement for cardiotoxicity, especially in the chemical-induced toxicity of cardiac tissues.

Revealment study on the regulation of lipid metabolism by Lingguizhugan Decoction in heart failure treatment based on integrated lipidomics and proteomics

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZGD) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription. Our previous studies found that disorders of lipid metabolism were reversed by LGZGD in heart failure (HF) mice. This study aimed to reveal the regulation of lipid metabolism of LGZGD. A mice model of HF was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. The components of LGZGD were identified with the UHPLC-QTOF-MS method. The regulation of lipid metabolism by LGZGD was detected by serum lipidomics and heart tissue proteomics. Molecular docking was further performed to screen active components. A total of 78 compounds in LGZGD were identified. Results of lipidomics showed that 37 lipids illustrated a significant recovery trend to normal after the treatment of LGZGD. Results of proteomics demonstrated that 55 proteins were altered by the administration of LGZGD in HF mice. After enrichment analysis, the Prakg2/Ucp2/Plin1 axis on the Apelin pathway plays a vital role in HF treatment by LGZGD. Nine active components exhibited the outstanding ability of binding to the apelin receptor with MM-GBSA value lower than −60 Kcal/mol. In conclusion, all results combined together revealed that multi-component in the LGZGD had beneficial effects on the HF through ameliorating lipid disorders, which provides a novel insight into the cardioprotective effects of LGZGD and its clinical application.

Comparative pharmacokinetics of seven bioactive components after oral administration of crude and processed Qixue Shuangbu Prescription in chronic heart failure rats by microdialysis combined with UPLC-MS/MS

Ethnopharmacological relevanceQixue Shuangbu Prescription (QSP) is a classical traditional Chinese medicine prescription, which has widely used for the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). Preliminary clinical studies have shown that the efficacy of processed QSP (P-QSP) in treating CHF is greater than crude QSP (C-QSP). However, the pharmacokinetic characteristics of its major bioactive components under pathological conditions are unclear. Aim of studyThis study aims to compare pharmacokinetics of seven bioactive components after oral administration of C-QSP and P-QSP in CHF model rats. Materials and methodsGinsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV, calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside, and paeoniflorin in QSP were used as the target components. CHF model in rats was induced by the intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. A microdialysis combined with UPLC-MS/MS method was first established to compare the pharmacokinetics of seven major bioactive components in CHF model rats after oral administration of C-QSP and P-QSP. ResultsThis method was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic investigation of seven major components of C-QSP and P-QSP following oral administration in CHF model rats. Compared with the C-QSP group, the Cmax, AUC0-t and AUC0−∞ of ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rg1, ferulic acid, astragaloside IV and paeoniflorin significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the P-QSP group, which suggested that the absorptivity and bioavailability were increased. Lower T1/2, MRT0−t of ginsenoside Rb1, gerulic acid and higher T1/2, MRT0−t of ginsenoside Rb1, astragaloside IV, paeoniflorin in the P-QSP group, which indicated that eliminated more quickly or slowly, respectively. ConclusionsThe pharmacokinetic parameters of bioactive components were significantly changed for better bioavailability and absorption, longer lasting time elimination, which were beneficial for enhancing therapeutic efficacy in the P-QSP group. This study will provide a new perspective to explain the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlation of P-QSP on the treatment of CHF.

Nuclear accumulation of MLKL induces necroptosis in cardiomyocytes: potential implication in Doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Abstract Background The treatment with doxorubicin, a powerful chemotherapeutic agent, has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of lethal heart failure. Although various types of cell death pathway such as apoptosis and ferroptosis have been shown to be involved in the development of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, DIC, the involvement of necroptosis, a novel programmed necrosis induced by translocation of activated mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein, MLKL, to plasma membrane, remains unclear. Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether necroptosis is involved in the development of DIC. Methods and results DIC was induced in C57BL/6J mice by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin at a dose of 10 mg/kg 3 times for a week. Eight days after the commencement of injection, echocardiographic analyses showed that left ventricular ejection fraction assessed by echocardiography was significantly lower in the doxorubicin-treated mice than in the vehicle-treated mice (44.0±13.7 vs. 70.5±3.7%), indicating the development of DIC. Immunoblot analysis showed that MLKL protein level was higher by 1.6 fold in the doxorubicin-treated mice than in the vehicle-treated mice. Interestingly, immunohistochemical analysis showed that signals of phospho-Ser345-MLKL, an activated form of MLKL, was found in the nuclei in addition to cytosol and intercalated discs of cardiomyocytes in the doxorubicin-treated mice. To get novel insight into significance of nuclear MLKL accumulation, a leucine-rich nuclear export signal (NES) spanning amino acids 280–284 of rat MLKL was identified by site-directed mutation analyses, and H9c2 cells, cultured rat cardiomyoblasts, were transfected with expression constructs for nucleus-directed MLKL (FLAG-mtNES-MLKL) or its wild type (FLAG-WT-MLKL). Percentage of FLAG-positive cells stained with Zombie Red, a fluorescent dye that is non-permeant to live cells, was higher in FLAG-mtNES-MLKL-transfected cells than in FLAG-WT-MLKL-transfected cells (80.0±3.5% vs. 6.3±1.3%, p&amp;lt;0.05), whereas percentage of cells immunostained with cleaved caspase-3 to FLAG-positive cells was similar in the two groups. The effect of the MLKL mutant on necroptosis was attenuated by treatment with GppNHp, an inhibitor of Ran-mediated nuclear protein import. Conclusion Nuclear accumulation of MLKL induces necroptosis in cardiomyocytes, which may contribute to progression of DIC. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

M2-like macrophages transplantation protects against the doxorubicin-induced heart failure via mitochondrial transfer

AimsThe alternatively activated macrophages have shown a cardioprotective effect in heart failure. However, the effect of M2 adoptive transfer in non-ischemic heart failure is unknown. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of M-CSF plus IL-4 induced M2-like macrophages transplantation in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.MethodsBone marrow mononuclear cells were polarized as CCR2+CD206+ M2-like macrophages by a combination of M-CSF plus IL-4 treatment. C57BL/6 mice received a single intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg). The treatment group were treated with M2-like macrophages (1 × 10^6 cells per mouse; i.v.) once a week for 2 weeks. After 3 weeks, we examined the percentage of resident cells and cardiac function. Furthermore, we evaluated cardiac fibrosis, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and circulating inflammatory factors. Finally, we investigated the mitochondria transfer in vitro in a direct and indirect co-culture conditions.ResultsCardiac function was significantly improved in doxorubicin-induced heart failure by adoptive transfer of M2-like macrophages. Besides, M2-like macrophages treatment attenuated cardiac fibrosis and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, as well as increased the level of circulating IL-4 and Th2 response. In vitro, M2-like macrophages could transfer mitochondria to injured cardiomyocytes in a direct and indirect way.ConclusionsIn our study, adoptive transfer of M2-like macrophages could protect against the doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, which may be partly attributed to mitochondria transfer. And M2-like macrophages transplantation could become a treatment for non-ischemic heart failure in the clinical practice.Graphical

Sacubitril/valsartan reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity.

The induction of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been reported as a key contributor to the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin. Previous in vitro and in vivo studies suggest that sacubitril/valsartan, a novel angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitor, could be effective against doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. However, the precise mechanisms are not fully understood. Therefore, we investigated whether the cardioprotective effects of sacubitril/valsartan are associated with ER stress modulation in a rat model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with intraperitoneal injections of doxorubicin (15mg/kg; cumulative) or saline for 3weeks. From the day before the first treatment, control animals were gavaged daily with water (n = 8), whereas doxorubicin-treated animals were gavaged daily with water (n = 8) or sacubitril/valsartan (60mg/kg/day; n = 8) for 6weeks. Echocardiography was performed 6weeks after the initiation of doxorubicin. In addition, serum troponin I and N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide levels were determined, and the extent of apoptosis and protein levels related to ER stress in the cardiac tissue and doxorubicin-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes were analyzed. Sacubitril/valsartan significantly reduced doxorubicin-induced cardiac dysfunction and apoptosis in the myocardium. In addition, sacubitril/valsartan significantly downregulated the expression levels of proteins related to apoptosis and ER stress, including BAX, caspase 3, GRP78, PERK, IRE-1α, ATF-6, eIF-2α, ATF-4, and CHOP, in the myocardium of a rat model of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in vivo and doxorubicin-treated H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro. Sacubitril/valsartan significantly alleviated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, which may be associated with the reduction of ER stress.

Thyme Oil and Thymol Counter Doxorubicin-Induced Hepatotoxicity via Modulation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress.

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective anticancer agent with a wide spectrum of activities. However, it has many adverse effects on various organs especially on the liver. Thymol, one of the major components of thyme oil, has biological properties that include anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Thus, this study was designed to examine thyme oil and thymol for their ability to prevent doxorubicin-induced hepatotoxicity in Wistar rats. Hepatotoxicity was induced by an intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin, at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw/week, for seven weeks. Doxorubicin-injected rats were supplemented with thyme oil and thymol at doses 250 and 100 mg/kg bw, respectively, four times/week by oral gavage for the same period. Treatment of rats with thyme oil and thymol reversed the high serum activities of AST, ALT, and ALP and total bilirubin, AFP, and CA19.9 levels, caused by doxorubicin. Thyme oil and thymol also reduced the high levels of TNF-α and the decreased levels of both albumin and IL-4. These agents ameliorated doxorubicin-induced elevation in hepatic lipid peroxidation and associated reduction in GSH content and GST and GPx activities. Further, the supplementation with thyme oil and thymol significantly augmented mRNA expression of the level of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and significantly downregulated nuclear and cytoplasmic levels of the hepatic apoptotic mediator p53. Thus, thyme oil and thymol successfully counteracted doxorubicin-induced experimental hepatotoxicity via their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiapoptotic properties.

LncRNA HOX transcript antisense RNA mitigates cardiac function injury in chronic heart failure via regulating microRNA-30a-5p to target KDM3A.

Long noncoding RNA HOX transcript antisense RNA (HOTAIR) has been studied in multiple diseases, but the role of HOTAIR on chronic heart failure (CHF) through the regulation of microRNA (miR)‐30a‐5p and lysine‐specific demethylase 3A (KDM3A) remains unexplored. This research aims to probe the effects of HOTAIR on CHF progression via modulating miR‐30a‐5p to target KDM3A. CHF mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. The CHF mice were then injected with high‐expressed HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p or KDM3A adenovirus vectors to determine the cardiac function, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, pathological change and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p, KDM3A and Bcl‐2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) expression in CHF mice was detected. The binding relations among HOTAIR, miR‐30a‐5p and KDM3A were validated. HOTAIR and KDM3A were depleted, while miR‐30a‐5p was augmented in CHF mice. The elevated HOTAIR or KDM3A or could improve cardiac function, mitigate oxidative stress and pathological change, reduce inflammatory factor levels and cardiomyocyte apoptosis, while the increased miR‐30a‐5p exerted opposite effects. The miR‐30a‐5p elevation could reverse the effects of enriched HOTAIR, while BNIP3 reduction abrogated the effects of KDM3A on CHF. HOTAIR sponged miR‐30a‐5p that targeted KDM3A. HOTAIR improves cardiac injury in CHF via modulating miR‐30a‐5p to target KDM3A. This study provides novel therapeutic strategies for CHF treatment.