The influence of ETA and ETB receptor blockers on LPS-induced oxidative stress and NF-κB signaling pathway in heart

Gen Physiol Biophys. 2012 Sep;31(3):271-8. doi: 10.4149/gpb_2012_031.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess whether an endothelin-A receptor (ETA-R) blocker, BQ123, or an endothelin-B (ETB-R) receptor blocker, BQ788, influences nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) pathway, free radical generation, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) concentration, and glutathione redox system in hearts obtained from lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxic rats. The study was performed on rats divided into groups: 1) saline, 2) saline + LPS (15 mg/kg), 3) BQ123 (1 mg/kg b.w.) + LPS, 4) BQ123 (0.5 mg/kg b.w.) + LPS, 5) BQ788 (3 mg/kg b.w.) + LPS. The ETA-R and ETB-R antagonists were injected i.v. 30 min before LPS administration. In rats, BQ123 caused a significant decrease in TBARS (p < 0.05) but not in H2O2 concentration. It also decreased tissue protein level and improved tissue redox status (p < 0.01). Only a dose of 1 mg/kg decreased TNF-α concentration (p < 0.05). BQ788 lowered TBARS, H2O2 and protein concentration (p < 0.05; p < 0.02; p < 0.001, respectively), however, it did not affect TNF-α concentration. Neither ETA-R nor ETB-R blockers influenced LPS-induced increase in p65 subunit level and activation of NF-κB pathway. Our results demonstrated that ETA-R blockage is more effective in inhibiting free radical generation and improving heart antioxidant properties than ETB-R blockage under oxidative stress. NF-κB pathway is not incorporated in ETA-R and ETB-R influence on ROS production.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists*
  • Endothelin B Receptor Antagonists*
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Lipopolysaccharides / pharmacology*
  • Male
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Oligopeptides / administration & dosage
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / physiology*
  • Peptides, Cyclic / administration & dosage
  • Piperidines / administration & dosage
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*

Substances

  • Endothelin A Receptor Antagonists
  • Endothelin B Receptor Antagonists
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • NF-kappa B
  • Oligopeptides
  • Peptides, Cyclic
  • Piperidines
  • BQ 788
  • cyclo(Trp-Asp-Pro-Val-Leu)