Serotonin 5-HT(2B) receptor blockade prevents reactive oxygen species-induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice

Hypertension. 2008 Aug;52(2):301-7. doi: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.107.105551. Epub 2008 Jun 30.

Abstract

We established previously that 5-HT(2B) receptors are involved in cardiac hypertrophy through the regulation of hypertrophic cytokines in cardiac fibroblasts. Moreover, the generation of reactive oxygen species and tumor necrosis factor-alpha through the activation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate [NAD(P)H] oxidase has been implicated in cardiac hypertrophy. In this study, we investigated whether 5-HT(2B) receptors could be involved in the development of cardiac hypertrophy associated with superoxide anion production. Therefore, we measured the effects of serotonergic 5-HT(2B) receptor blockade on left-ventricular superoxide anion generation in 2 established pharmacological models of cardiac hypertrophy, ie, angiotensin II and isoproterenol infusions in mice. Angiotensin II infusion for 14 days increased superoxide anion concentration (+32%), NAD(P)H oxidase maximal activity (+84%), and p47(phox) NAD(P)H oxidase subunit expression in the left ventricle together with hypertension (+37 mm Hg) and cardiac hypertrophy (+17% for heart weight:body weight). The 5-HT(2B) receptor blockade by a selective antagonist (SB215505) prevented the increase in cardiac superoxide generation and hypertrophy. Similarly, infusion for 5 days of isoproterenol increased left-ventricular NAD(P)H oxidase activity (+48%) and cardiac hypertrophy (+31%) that were prevented by the 5-HT(2B) receptor blockade. Finally, in the primary culture of left-ventricular cardiac fibroblasts, angiotensin II and isoproterenol stimulated NAD(P)H oxidase activity. This activation was prevented by SB215505. These findings suggest that the 5-HT(2B) receptor may represent a new target to reduce cardiac hypertrophy and oxidative stress. Its blockade affects both angiotensin II and beta-adrenergic trophic responses without significant hemodynamic alteration.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Cardiomegaly / diagnostic imaging
  • Cardiomegaly / prevention & control*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Echocardiography, Doppler
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Isoproterenol / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred Strains
  • NADP / metabolism
  • Probability
  • Quinolines / pharmacology*
  • Random Allocation
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / pharmacology
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / drug effects*
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / metabolism
  • Reference Values
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Serotonin Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Superoxides / analysis*

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Quinolines
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B
  • SB 215505
  • Serotonin Antagonists
  • Superoxides
  • Angiotensin II
  • NADP
  • Isoproterenol