RESUMEN
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Although increased oxidative stress plays a role in heart failure (HF)-induced skeletal myopathy, signaling pathways involved in muscle changes and the role of antioxidant agents have been poorly addressed. We evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on intracellular signaling pathways potentially modulated by oxidative stress in soleus muscle from HF rats. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four months after surgery, rats were assigned to Sham, myocardial infarction (MI)-C (without treatment), and MI-NAC (treated with N-acetylcysteine) groups. Two months later, echocardiogram showed left ventricular dysfunction in MI-C; NAC attenuated diastolic dysfunction. Oxidative stress was evaluated in serum and soleus muscle; malondialdehyde was higher in MI-C than Sham and did not differ between MI-C and MI-NAC. Oxidized glutathione concentration in soleus muscle was similar in Sham and MI-C, and lower in MI-NAC than MI-C (Sham 0.168 ± 0.056; MI-C 0.223 ± 0.073; MI-NAC 0.136 ± 0.023 nmol/mg tissue; p = 0.014). Western blot showed increased p-JNK and decreased p38, ERK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 in infarcted rats. NAC restored ERK1/2. NF-954;B p65 subunit was reduced; p-Ser276 in p65 and I954;B was increased; and p-Ser536 unchanged in MI-C compared to Sham. NAC did not modify NF-954;B p65 subunit, but decreased p-Ser276 and p-Ser536. CONCLUSION: N-acetylcysteine modulates MAPK and NF-954;B signaling pathways in soleus muscle of HF rats.
Asunto(s)
Acetilcisteína/farmacología , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/tratamiento farmacológico , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/efectos de los fármacos , FN-kappa B/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Antioxidantes/farmacología , Western Blotting , Ecocardiografía , Expresión Génica/efectos de los fármacos , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/genética , Insuficiencia Cardíaca/metabolismo , Masculino , Proteína Quinasa 1 Activada por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa 3 Activada por Mitógenos/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Proteína MioD/genética , Proteína MioD/metabolismo , Infarto del Miocardio/tratamiento farmacológico , Infarto del Miocardio/genética , Infarto del Miocardio/metabolismo , Miogenina/genética , Miogenina/metabolismo , Ratas Wistar , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa de Transcriptasa Inversa , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/tratamiento farmacológico , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/genética , Disfunción Ventricular Izquierda/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Chronic heart failure is characterized by decreased exercise capacity with early exacerbation of fatigue and dyspnea. Intrinsic skeletal muscle abnormalities can play a role in exercise intolerance. Causal or contributing factors responsible for muscle alterations have not been completely defined. This study evaluated skeletal muscle oxidative stress and NADPH oxidase activity in rats with myocardial infarction (MI) induced heart failure. METHODS AND RESULTS: Four months after MI, rats were assigned to Sham, MI-C (without treatment), and MI-NAC (treated with N-acetylcysteine) groups. Two months later, echocardiogram showed left ventricular dysfunction in MI-C; NAC attenuated diastolic dysfunction. In soleus muscle, glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity was decreased in MI-C and unchanged by NAC. 3-nitrotyrosine was similar in MI-C and Sham, and lower in MI-NAC than MI-C. Total reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed by HPLC analysis of dihydroethidium (DHE) oxidation fluorescent products. The 2-hydroxyethidium (EOH)/DHE ratio did not differ between Sham and MI-C and was higher in MI-NAC. The ethidium/DHE ratio was higher in MI-C than Sham and unchanged by NAC. NADPH oxidase activity was similar in Sham and MI-C and lower in MI-NAC. Gene expression of p47(phox) was lower in MI-C than Sham. NAC decreased NOX4 and p22(phox) expression. CONCLUSIONS: We corroborate the case that oxidative stress is increased in skeletal muscle of heart failure rats and show for the first time that oxidative stress is not related to increased NADPH oxidase activity.