Distinct influence of atypical 1,4-dihydropyridine compounds in azidothymidine-induced neuro- and cardiotoxicity in mice ex vivo

Jolanta Pupure, Sergejs Isajevs, Valentina Gordjushina, Immanuels Taivans, Juris Rumaks, Simons Svirskis, Aina Kratovska, Zane Dzirkale, Jelena Pilipenko, Gunars Duburs, Vija Klusa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study demonstrates the effective protection by compounds of atypical 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHP) series cerebrocrast, glutapyrone and tauropyrone against neuro- and cardiotoxicity caused by the model compound azidothymidine, a well-known mitochondria-compromising anti-HIV drug. In previous in vitro experiments, we have demonstrated distinct effects of these DHP compounds to influence mitochondrial functioning. In the present in vivo experiments, DHP compounds were administered intraperitoneally in mice daily for 2 weeks, per se and in combinations with azidothymidine at doses: azidothymidine 50 mg/kg; cerebrocrast 0.1 mg/kg; glutapyrone 1 mg/kg; and tauropyrone 1 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, mice were killed, heart and brain tissues were removed and examined ex vivo histopathologically and immunohistochemically. NF-κBp65 and caspase-3 were used as the markers indicating inflammatory and apoptotic events, respectively. Cerebrocrast (dicyclic structure) was the most potent DHP, which effectively reduced azidothymidine-induced overexpression of NF-κBp65 and caspase-3 in mouse myocardium and brain cortex. Glutapyrone per se increased the number of caspase-3-positive cells in the brain, whereas it reduced NF-κBp65 and caspase-3 expression in cardiac tissue caused by azidothymidine. Tauropyrone showed dual action: per se it increased caspase-3 in the brain and NF-κBp65 expression in the heart, but it considerably reduced these activations in azidothymidine-treated mice. This study provides the first demonstration of a distinct pharmacological action for atypical DHP compounds in cardiac and brain tissues. The dicyclic structure of cerebrocrast is considered beneficial for neuro- and cardioprotection at least in part via mitochondrial targeting and consequent regulation of inflammatory and apoptotic processes.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)401-406
Number of pages6
JournalBasic and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology
Volume103
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2008
Externally publishedYes

Field of Science*

  • 3.1 Basic medicine

Publication Type*

  • 1.1. Scientific article indexed in Web of Science and/or Scopus database

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