5-HT2B receptor blockade attenuates β-adrenergic receptor-stimulated myocardial remodeling in rats via inhibiting apoptosis: role of MAPKs and HSPs

Apoptosis. 2015 Apr;20(4):455-65. doi: 10.1007/s10495-014-1083-z.

Abstract

Recent studies have proposed the potential role of 5-HT2B receptor (5-HT2BR) blockade in alleviating myocardial dysfunction; hitherto, the regulatory pathway for its protective effect has remained enigmatic. In the present study, we sought to investigate the role of SB-204741, a 5-HT2BR blocker in isoproterenol-induced myocardial remodeling in rats and its cross-talk with apoptosis and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs)/heat shock proteins (HSPs) pathway. To assess this hypothesis, we measured the effect of SB-204741 (0.25-1.0 mg/kg/day, i.p.) in isoproterenol (85 mg/kg/day, s.c.)-induced myocardial remodeling in rats. SB-204741 dose dependently improved hemodynamic and ventricular functions following isoproterenol-induced myocardial injury. This amelioration was well substantiated with reduced expression of 5-HT2B, inflammatory proteins (NF-κBp65, IKK-β, TNF-α, IL-6, and Cox-2), MAPKs (p-p38/p38 and p-JNK/JNK ratio) accompanied with increased protein expression of HSPs (αB-crystallin, Hsp27 and Hsp70), autophagy (LC3 and Beclin-1) and p-ERK/ERK ratio. Additionally, SB-204741 inhibited apoptotic signaling pathway as there was decreased DAPI/TUNEL positivity and protein expression of cytochrome c, Bax, and caspase-3 along with increased Bcl-2 expression. Preservation of histopathological and ultrastructural components, normalization of nitric oxide level, endogenous antioxidants and myocyte injury marker enzymes were also observed. In conclusion, inhibition of apoptosis via modulation of MAPKs/HSPs is essential for 5-HT2BR blockade mediated cardioprotective effect.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis* / drug effects
  • Caspase 3 / genetics
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Heart / drug effects
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / genetics
  • Heat-Shock Proteins / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Myocardium / enzymology
  • Myocardium / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / genetics
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / genetics
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Adrenergic beta-Antagonists
  • Heat-Shock Proteins
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B
  • Receptors, Adrenergic, beta
  • Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
  • Caspase 3