TXNIP/TRX/NF-κB and MAPK/NF-κB pathways involved in the cardiotoxicity induced by Venenum Bufonis in rats

Sci Rep. 2016 Mar 10:6:22759. doi: 10.1038/srep22759.

Abstract

Venenum Bufonis (VB) is a widely used traditional medicine with serious cardiotoxic effects. The inflammatory response has been studied to clarify the mechanism of the cardiotoxicity induced by VB for the first time. In the present study, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, were administered VB (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) intragastrically, experienced disturbed ECGs (lowered heart rate and elevated ST-segment), increased levels of serum indicators (creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)) and serum interleukin (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) at 2 h, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h, which reflected that an inflammatory response, together with cardiotoxicity, were involved in VB-treated rats. In addition, the elevated serum level of MDA and the down-regulated SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx levels indicated the appearance of oxidative stress in the VB-treated group. Furthermore, based on the enhanced expression levels of TXNIP, p-NF-κBp65, p-IκBα, p-IKKα, p-IKKβ, p-ERK, p-JNK, and p-P38 and the obvious myocardial degeneration, it is proposed that VB-induced cardiotoxicity may promote an inflammatory response through the TXNIP/TRX/NF-κB and MAPK/NF-κB pathways. The observed inflammatory mechanism induced by VB may provide a theoretical reference for the toxic effects and clinical application of VB.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Bufanolides / adverse effects*
  • Bufanolides / pharmacokinetics
  • Bufanolides / toxicity
  • Cardiotoxicity
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Electrocardiography
  • Female
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart / physiology
  • MAP Kinase Signaling System
  • Male
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Thioredoxins / metabolism*
  • Tissue Distribution

Substances

  • Bufanolides
  • Carrier Proteins
  • NF-kappa B
  • Txn1 protein, mouse
  • Txnip protein, mouse
  • chan su
  • Thioredoxins
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases