Changes of microRNA-1, -15b and -21 levels in irradiated rat hearts after treatment with potentially radioprotective drugs

Physiol Res. 2016 Sep 19:65 Suppl 1:S129-37. doi: 10.33549/physiolres.933399.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to measure expression levels of microRNAs (miRNAs) (miRNA-1, -15b and -21) in the rat myocardium after a single dose of ionizing radiation (6-7 Gy/min, total 25 Gy). The rats were treated with selected drugs (Atorvastatin, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), Tadalafil, Enbrel) for six weeks after irradiation. MiRNAs levels were measured by RT-qPCR. Irradiation down-regulated miRNA-1 in irradiated hearts. In Tadalafil- and Atorvastatin-treated groups, miRNA-1 expression levels were further decreased compared with irradiated controls. However, Enbrel increased miRNA-1 level in irradiated hearts similarly to that in non-irradiated untreated group. Increase of miRNA-15b is pro-apoptotic in relationship with ischemia. Irradiation caused down-regulation of miRNA-15b. Administration of ASA in the irradiated group resulted in the increase of miRNA-15b expression compared to non-treated controls without irradiation. After Enbrel administration, miRNA-15b levels were overexpressed compared to non-treated normal group. MiRNA-21 belongs to the most markedly up-regulated miRNAs in response to cardiogenic stress. MiRNA-21 was increased nearly 2-fold compared to non-treated hearts whereas Tadalafil reduced miRNA-21 levels (about 40 %). Our study suggests that Enbrel and Tadalafil changed miRNAs expression values of the irradiated rats to the values of non-irradiated controls, thus they might be helpful in mitigation of radiation-induced toxicity.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Evaluation, Preclinical
  • Heart / drug effects*
  • Heart / radiation effects
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental / metabolism
  • Radiation Injuries, Experimental / prevention & control*
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / pharmacology
  • Radiation-Protective Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Random Allocation
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • MicroRNAs
  • Radiation-Protective Agents