Cytokine blockade attenuates sympathoexcitation in heart failure: Cross-talk between nNOS, AT-1R and cytokines in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus

Anuradha Guggilam, Kaushik P. Patel, Masudul Haque, Philip J. Ebenezer, Daniel R. Kapusta, Joseph Francis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

74 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To investigate evidence for the interplay between cytokines, angiotensin II and nNOS in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), for regulating sympathetic outflow in a rat model of CHF. Methods and results: Heart failure was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by coronary artery ligation. One group of rats was treated with pentoxifylline (PTX, 30 mg/kg IP), a cytokine blocker, or vehicle, for 5 weeks. Another group of rats was pre-treated with PTX before coronary ligation to study prior cytokine blocking effect on survival. Both groups were combined in the analysis. Echocardiography demonstrated an increase in LV end-diastolic pressure and Tei index after 5 weeks in CHF rats. ELISA revealed a significant increase in plasma TNF-α and IL-1β in CHF rats. Inducible NOS (iNOS) and angiotensin receptor-type 1 (AT-1R) mRNA expressions were increased, while neuronal NOS (nNOS) was decreased in the PVN of CHF rats; these changes were reversed by PTX. PTX treatment also decreased plasma norepinephrine and epinephrine levels and improved baroreflex control of renal sympathoexcitation in CHF rats. Immunohistochemistry revealed elevated 3-nitrotyrosine formation in the heart and the PVN of CHF rats, but not in PTX treated rats. Conclusion: PTX decreased both peripheral and central cytokine expression, alleviated nitric oxide dysregulation, and inhibited the formation of peroxynitrite in the PVN resulting in decreased sympathoexcitation in CHF rats.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)625-634
Number of pages10
JournalEuropean Journal of Heart Failure
Volume10
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2008

Keywords

  • AT-1 receptor
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Cytokines
  • Neuronal nitric oxide synthase
  • Peroxynitrite
  • Sympathoexcitation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Medicine

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