The role of oxidative stress in the crosstalk between leptin and mineralocorticoid receptor in the cardiac fibrosis associated with obesity

Sci Rep. 2017 Dec 1;7(1):16802. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-17103-9.

Abstract

We have investigated whether mineralocorticoid receptor activation can participate in the profibrotic effects of leptin in cardiac myofibroblasts, as well as the potential mechanisms involved. The presence of eplerenone reduced the leptin-induced increase in protein levels of collagen I, transforming growth factor β, connective tissue growth factor and galectin-3 and the levels of both total and mitochondrial of superoxide anion (O2.-) in cardiac myofibroblasts. Likewise, the MEK/ERK inhibitor, PD98059, and the PI3/Akt inhibitor, LY294002, showed a similar pattern. Mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger (MitoTempo) attenuated the increase in body weight observed in rats fed a high fat diet (HFD). No differences were found in cardiac function or blood pressure among any group. However, the cardiac fibrosis and enhanced O2.-levels observed in HFD rats were attenuated by MitoTempo, which also prevented the increased circulating leptin and aldosterone levels in HFD fed animals. This study supports a role of mineralocorticoid receptor in the cardiac fibrosis induced by leptin in the context of obesity and highlights the role of the mitochondrial ROS in this process.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Collagen Type I / metabolism
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Diet, High-Fat
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / etiology
  • Endomyocardial Fibrosis / metabolism*
  • Eplerenone / pharmacology
  • Fibroblasts / cytology
  • Galectin 3 / metabolism
  • Leptin / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Myocardium / cytology*
  • Obesity / chemically induced
  • Obesity / complications*
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Oxidative Stress
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Mineralocorticoid / metabolism*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / metabolism

Substances

  • CCN2 protein, rat
  • Collagen Type I
  • Galectin 3
  • Leptin
  • Lgals3 protein, rat
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Mineralocorticoid
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta
  • Connective Tissue Growth Factor
  • Eplerenone