Docosahexaenoic Acid Attenuates Doxorubicin-induced Cytotoxicity and Inflammation by Suppressing NF-κB/iNOS/NO Signaling Pathway Activation in H9C2 Cardiac Cells

J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2016 Apr;67(4):283-9. doi: 10.1097/FJC.0000000000000350.

Abstract

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a widely used antineoplastic agent for a variety of carcinomas. However, it is cardiotoxic and leads to cardiomyopathy. Previous studies have indicated that omega-3 polyunsaturated acids (ω-3 PUFAs) have therapeutic effects on dilated and diabetic cardiomyopathies. However, whether ω-3 PUFAs exert therapeutic effects on DOX-induced cardiomyopathy remains unclear. In this study, we explored the effect and underlying mechanisms of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an important type of ω-3 PUFA, on DOX-induced cardiotoxicity and inflammation. H9C2 cardiac cells were exposed to DOX (5 μM) and interfered with by DHA (10 μM) for 4 hours. The effect of DHA on H9C2 cell viability was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 assay. The levels of mRNA and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. Reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined by corresponding kits. The protein expression of key molecules in the nuclear factor-kappa B/inducible isoform of nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide (NF-κB/iNOS/NO) signaling pathway was determined by western blotting. DOX-induced significant cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species production in H9C2 cardiac cells. It also induced cardiac inflammation as evidenced by significantly increased expressions of inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-1β, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and inducible isoform of NO synthase. However, DHA effectively attenuated DOX-induced cytotoxicity and inflammation. A further mechanistic study revealed that DHA suppressed DOX-induced activation of the NF-κB/iNOS/NO signaling pathway in H9C2 cells. Our results indicate that DHA may protect against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting NF-κB/iNOS/NO signaling pathway activation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic / toxicity
  • Cardiomyopathies / chemically induced
  • Cardiomyopathies / prevention & control
  • Cardiotoxicity / etiology
  • Cardiotoxicity / prevention & control*
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Cytokines / metabolism
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids / pharmacology*
  • Doxorubicin / toxicity*
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Inflammation / prevention & control*
  • NF-kappa B / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects

Substances

  • Antibiotics, Antineoplastic
  • Cytokines
  • NF-kappa B
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Docosahexaenoic Acids
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Doxorubicin
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II