Ovariectomy exacerbates oxidative stress and cardiopathy induced by adriamycin

Infrared Spectroscopy Coupled with Machine Learning Algorithms to Investigate Vascular Dysfunction in Ovariectomy: An Animal Model Study

A decrease in female sex hormone levels in the body impairs vascular endothelium functioning, leading to vascular dysfunction associated with certain diseases. Animal models of ovariectomy are commonly used to understand its effects on vascular (dys)function. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is a technique capable of extracting detailed molecular information and, as such, has been applied to various biological analyses. This study evaluated systemic changes in the ovariectomy model using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Thirty-eight serum samples from adult Wistar rats were analyzed and divided into 18 in the control group (SHAM) and 20 in the ovariectomized group (OVX). Bilateral ovariectomy was performed, followed by euthanasia of the rats after 15 days. The spectral collection was performed using the Bruker Alpha II equipment (Bruker, Germany), preprocessed, and analyzed using unsupervised analysis methods [principal component analysis (PCA)] and supervised analysis methods [partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA)] (MATLAB 2023). For the PCA model, combinations between principal components (PCs) 1 to 4 were performed. Nevertheless, none of the PC combinations allowed a clear distinction between the OVX and SHAM groups. The PLS-DA model exhibited 66% sensitivity, 80% specificity, a false positive rate of 20%, and a false negative rate of 33%. The F-score was 0.727 and the accuracy was 72.7%. However, the y-permutation test demonstrated that this result was random. These results indicate that there is no significant difference in the systemic profile of rats subjected to ovariectomy surgery for 15 days when analyzed using mid-infrared spectroscopy.

Female rodents in behavioral neuroscience: Narrative review on the methodological pitfalls

Since the NIH 'Sex as biological variable' policy, the percentage of studies including female subjects have increased largely. Nonetheless, many researchers fail to adequate their protocols to include females. In this narrative review, we aim to discuss the methodological pitfalls of the inclusion of female rodents in behavioral neuroscience. We address three points to consider in studies: the manipulations conducted only in female animals (such as estrous cycle monitoring, ovariectomy, and hormone replacement), the consideration of males as the standard, and biases related to interpretation and publication of the results. In addition, we suggest guidelines and perspectives for the inclusion of females in preclinical research.

Sex-Specific Cardiovascular Risks of Cancer and Its Therapies

In both cardiovascular disease and cancer, there are established sex-based differences in prevalence and outcomes. Males and females may also differ in terms of risk of cardiotoxicity following cancer therapy, including heart failure, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, thromboembolism, arrhythmias, and myocarditis. Here, we describe sex-based differences in the epidemiology and pathophysiology of cardiotoxicity associated with anthracyclines, hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT), hormone therapy and immune therapy. Relative to males, the risk of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity is higher in prepubertal females, lower in premenopausal females, and similar in postmenopausal females. For autologous hematopoietic cell transplant, several studies suggest an increased risk of late heart failure in female lymphoma patients, but sex-based differences have not been shown for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplant. Hormone therapies including GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) modulators, androgen receptor antagonists, selective estrogen receptor modulators, and aromatase inhibitors are associated with cardiotoxicity, including arrhythmia and venous thromboembolism. However, sex-based differences have not yet been elucidated. Evaluation of sex differences in cardiotoxicity related to immune therapy is limited, in part, due to low participation of females in relevant clinical trials. However, some studies suggest that females are at increased risk of immune checkpoint inhibitor myocarditis, although this has not been consistently demonstrated. For each of the aforementioned cancer therapies, we consider sex-based differences according to cardiotoxicity management. We identify knowledge gaps to guide future mechanistic and prospective clinical studies. Furthering our understanding of sex-based differences in cancer therapy cardiotoxicity can advance the development of targeted preventive and therapeutic cardioprotective strategies.

Consideration of Sex as a Biological Variable in the Development of Doxorubicin Myotoxicity and the Efficacy of Exercise as a Therapeutic Intervention

Doxorubicin (DOX) is an anthracycline antibiotic used to treat a wide variety of hematological and solid tumor cancers. While DOX is highly effective at reducing tumor burden, its clinical use is limited by the development of adverse effects to both cardiac and skeletal muscle. The detrimental effects of DOX to muscle tissue are associated with the increased incidence of heart failure, dyspnea, exercise intolerance, and reduced quality of life, which have been reported in both patients actively receiving chemotherapy and cancer survivors. A variety of factors elevate the probability of DOX-related morbidity in patients; however, the role of sex as a biological variable to calculate patient risk remains unclear. Uncertainty regarding sexual dimorphism in the presentation of DOX myotoxicity stems from inadequate study design to address this issue. Currently, the majority of clinical data on DOX myotoxicity come from studies where the ratio of males to females is unbalanced, one sex is omitted, and/or the patient cohort include a broad age range. Furthermore, lack of consensus on standard outcome measures, difficulties in long-term evaluation of patient outcomes, and other confounding factors (i.e., cancer type, drug combinations, adjuvant therapies, etc.) preclude a definitive answer as to whether differences exist in the incidence of DOX myotoxicity between sexes. This review summarizes the current clinical and preclinical literature relevant to sex differences in the incidence and severity of DOX myotoxicity, the proposed mechanisms for DOX sexual dimorphism, and the potential for exercise training to serve as an effective therapeutic countermeasure to preserve muscle strength and function in males and females.

Improvement in cardiac function of ovariectomized rats by antioxidant tempol

A rise in heart disease incidence in women after menopause has led to investigations into the role of female sex hormones on cardiac function. Although various adverse changes in cardiac contractile function following loss of female sex hormones have been reported, a clear mechanism of action has never been characterized. In order to examine whether an elevation in oxidative stress is a major cause of cardiac contractile dysfunction after female sex hormone deprivation, cardiac functions of ovariectomized rats with and without supplementation of superoxide scavenger tempol were compared to those of sham-operated controls. Chronic deprivation of female sex hormones reduced total oxidative capacity and increased plasma carbonyl protein content. Tempol supplementation of ovariectomized rats significantly ameliorated plasma oxidative stress status. Echocardiography demonstrated a significant decrease in left ventricular ejection fraction in ovariectomized rats, which was completely prevented by tempol supplementation. Decreased myocardial contractility occurs with reduced maximum myofilament force of contraction and amplitude of transient intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, both phenomena completely attenuated by tempol supplementation. However, tempol only partially prevented shift of heart myosin heavy chain from dominant α-to β-isoform of ovariectomized rats. Immunoblot analysis of protein carbonylation indicated that tempol supplementation significantly reduced the level of cardiac myofibrillar proteins oxidation increased in ovariectomized rat heart. Taken together, the results indicate changes of cardiac contractile machinery following loss of female sex hormones were, in part, due to an increase in oxidative stress, and antioxidant supplementation could be considered another potential prevention measure in postmenopausal women.

Comparison of exercise training and estrogen supplementation on mast cell-mediated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Cardiac inflammation has been proposed as one of the primary mechanisms of anthracycline-induced acute cardiotoxicity. A reduction in cardiac inflammation might also reduce cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of estrogen therapy and regular exercise on attenuating cardiac inflammation in the context of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy. Ovariectomized rats were randomly allocated into estrogen supplementation, exercise training, and mast cell stabilizer treatment groups. Eight weeks after ovariectomy, rats received six cumulative doses of doxorubicin for two weeks. Echocardiography demonstrated a progressive decrease in ejection fraction in doxorubicin-treated rats without hypertrophic effect. This systolic defect was completely prevented by either estrogen supplementation or mast cell stabilizer treatment but not by regular exercise. As a heart disease indicator, increased β-myosin heavy chain expression induced by doxorubicin could only be prevented by estrogen supplementation. Decrease in shortening and intracellular Ca²⁺ transients of cardiomyocytes were due to absence of female sex hormones without further effects of doxorubicin. Again, estrogen supplementation and mast cell stabilizer treatment prevented these changes but exercise training did not. Histological analysis indicated that the hyperactivation of cardiac mast cells in ovariectomized rats was augmented by doxorubicin. Estrogen supplementation and mast cell stabilizer treatment completely prevented both increases in mast cell density and degranulation, whereas exercise training partially attenuated the hyperactivation. Our results, therefore, suggest that estrogen supplementation acts similarly to mast cell stabilizers in attenuating the effects of doxorubicin. Ineffectiveness of regular exercise in preventing the acute cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin might be due to a lesser effect on preventing cardiac inflammation.

Hormones and oxidative stress: an overview

In aerobes, oxygen is essential for maintenance of life. However, incomplete reduction of oxygen leads to generation of reactive oxygen species. These oxidants oxidise biological macromolecules present in their vicinity and thereby impair cellular functions causing oxidative stress (OS). Aerobes have evolved both enzymatic and nonenzymatic antioxidant defences to protect themselves from OS. Although hormones as means of biological coordination involve in regulation of physiological activities of tissues by regulating metabolism, any change in their normal titre leads to pathophysiological states. While, hormones such as melatonin, insulin, oestrogen, progesterone display antioxidant features, thyroid hormone, corticosteroids and catecholamines elicit free radical generation and OS, and the role of testosterone in inducing OS is debateable. This review is an attempt to understand the impact of free radical generation and cross talk between the hormones modulating antioxidant defence system under various pathophysiological conditions.

Clinical and preclinical evidence of sex-related differences in anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity

Anthracyclines are very effective chemotherapeutic agents that are widely used to treat pediatric and adult cancer patients. Unfortunately, the clinical utility of anthracyclines is limited by cardiotoxicity. There are several established risk factors for anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity (AIC), including total cumulative dose, very young and very old age, concomitant use of other cardiotoxic agents, and concurrent mediastinal radiation. However, the role of sex as a risk factor for AIC is not well defined. In pediatric cancer patients, most studies support the notion that female sex is a significant risk factor for AIC. Conversely, there is anecdotal evidence that female sex protects against AIC in adult cancer patients. The lack of consistency in study designs and the different definitions of cardiotoxicity preclude reaching consensus regarding the role of sex as a risk factor for AIC in both pediatric and adult cancer patients. Therefore, more clinical research using reliable techniques such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is needed to determine if there truly are sex differences in AIC. In adult preclinical rodent studies, however, there is unequivocal evidence that female sex confers significant protection against AIC, with a possible protective effect of female sex hormones and/or a detrimental role of the male sex hormones. Although findings of these rodent studies may not perfectly mirror the clinical scenario in adult anthracycline-treated cancer patients, understanding the mechanisms of this significant sexual dimorphism may reveal important cardioprotective mechanisms that can be therapeutically targeted.

Effects of lipoic acid and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid on the liver ovariectomized rat model of menopause

BACKGROUND

Bilateral ovariectomy is an experimental model used to analyse the effects of menopause and develop strategies to mitigate the deleterious effects of this condition. Supplementation of the diet with antioxidants has been used to reduce potential oxidative stress caused by menopause. The purpose of the study was to analyse the effects of α-lipoic acid (LA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), dietary supplementation on oxidative stress in the livers of ovariectomized rats.

METHODS

In this study, we evaluated the effect of dietary supplementation with LA, DHA and EPA for a period of 16 weeks on oestrogen levels and oxidative stress biomarkers in the livers of ovariectomized 25 three-month-old rats.

RESULTS

Serum oestrogen levels were lower after ovariectomy but were not altered by dietary treatments. LA was capable of acting in the liver, recovering the activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, and reducing protein oxidative damage. Moreover, LA supplementation reduced nitrite and nitrate levels. DHA and EPA recovered the antioxidant activity of cytosolic and mitochondrial superoxide dismutase, decreasing protein oxidation. Protection against lipid oxidation differed between treatments. The DHA-treated group showed increased levels of the lipid peroxidation biomarker malondialdehyde compared to the ovariectomized group. However, malondialdehyde levels were not altered by EPA treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that the antioxidant response varies among evaluated supplementations and all supplements were able to alter enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants in the livers of ovariectomized rats. DHA presented the most evident antioxidant effect, decreasing protein and lipid damage.

Sex-dependent alteration of cardiac cytochrome P450 gene expression by doxorubicin in C57Bl/6 mice

BACKGROUND

There is inconclusive evidence about the role of sex as a risk factor for doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity. Recent experimental studies have shown that adult female rats are protected against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. However, the mechanisms of this sexual dimorphism are not fully elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that DOX alters the expression of several cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes in the hearts of male rats. Nevertheless, the sex-dependent effect of DOX on the expression of CYP enzymes is still not known. Therefore, in the present study, we determined the effect of acute DOX exposure on the expression of CYP genes in the hearts of both male and female C57Bl/6 mice.

METHODS

Acute DOX cardiotoxicity was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of 20 mg/kg DOX in male and female adult C57Bl/6 mice. Cardiac function was assessed 5 days after DOX exposure by trans-thoracic echocardiography. Mice were euthanized 1 day or 6 days after DOX or saline injection. Thereafter, the hearts were harvested and weighed. Heart sections were evaluated for pathological lesions. Total RNA was extracted and expression of natriuretic peptides, inflammatory and apoptotic markers, and CYP genes was measured by real-time PCR.

RESULTS

Adult female C57Bl/6 mice were protected from acute DOX-induced cardiotoxicity as they show milder pathological lesions, less inflammation, and faster recovery from DOX-induced apoptosis and DOX-mediated inhibition of beta-type natriuretic peptide. Acute DOX exposure altered the gene expression of multiple CYP genes in a sex-dependent manner. In 24 h, DOX exposure caused male-specific induction of Cyp1b1 and female-specific induction of Cyp2c29 and Cyp2e1.

CONCLUSIONS

Acute DOX exposure causes sex-dependent alteration of cardiac CYP gene expression. Since cardiac CYP enzymes metabolize several endogenous compounds to biologically active metabolites, sex-dependent alteration of CYP genes may play a role in the sexual dimorphism of acute DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Sex-related differential susceptibility to doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in B6C3F1 mice

Sex is a risk factor for development of cardiotoxicity, induced by the anti-cancer drug, doxorubicin (DOX), in humans. To explore potential mechanisms underlying differential susceptibility to DOX between sexes, 8-week old male and female B6C3F₁ mice were dosed with 3mg/kg body weight DOX or an equivalent volume of saline via tail vein once a week for 6, 7, 8, and 9 consecutive weeks, resulting in 18, 21, 24, and 27mg/kg cumulative DOX doses, respectively. At necropsy, one week after each consecutive final dose, the extent of myocardial injury was greater in male mice compared to females as indicated by higher plasma concentrations of cardiac troponin T at all cumulative DOX doses with statistically significant differences between sexes at the 21 and 24mg/kg cumulative doses. A greater susceptibility to DOX in male mice was further confirmed by the presence of cytoplasmic vacuolization in cardiomyocytes, with left atrium being more vulnerable to DOX cardiotoxicity. The number of TUNEL-positive cardiomyocytes was mostly higher in DOX-treated male mice compared to female counterparts, showing a statistically significant sex-related difference only in left atrium at 21mg/kg cumulative dose. DOX-treated male mice also had an increased number of γ-H2A.X-positive (measure of DNA double-strand breaks) cardiomyocytes compared to female counterparts with a significant sex effect in the ventricle at 27mg/kg cumulative dose and right atrium at 21 and 27mg/kg cumulative doses. This newly established mouse model provides a means to identify biomarkers and access potential mechanisms underlying sex-related differences in DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

The interplay between genetic background and sexual dimorphism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity

Background

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a very effective anticancer medication that is commonly used to treat hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Nevertheless, DOX is known to have cardiotoxic effects that may lead to cardiac dysfunction and failure. In experimental studies, female animals have been shown to be protected against DOX-induced cardiotoxicity; however, the evidence of this sexual dimorphism is inconclusive in clinical studies. Therefore, we sought to investigate whether genetic background could influence the sexual dimorphism of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

Methods

Male and female Wistar Kyoto (WKY) and Spontaneous Hypertensive Heart Failure (SHHF) rats were used. DOX was administered in eight doses of 2 mg/kg/week and the rats were followed for an additional 12 weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by trans-thoracic echocardiography, systolic blood pressure was measured by the tail cuff method, and heart and kidney tissues were collected for histopathology.

Results

Female sex protected against DOX-induced weight loss and increase in blood pressure in the WKY rats, whereas it protected against DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction and the elevation of cardiac troponin in SHHF rats. In both strains, female sex was protective against DOX-induced nephrotoxicity. There was a strong correlation between DOX-induced renal pathology and DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Conclusions

This study highlights the importance of studying the interaction between sex and genetic background to determine the risk of DOX-induced cardiotoxicity. In addition, our findings suggest that DOX-induced nephrotoxicity may play a role in DOX-induced cardiac dysfunction in rodent models.

Reproductive hormone levels and differential mitochondria-related oxidative gene expression as potential mechanisms for gender differences in cardiosensitivity to Doxorubicin in tumor-bearing spontaneously hypertensive rats

PURPOSE

Chemotherapy with doxorubicin (Dox) causes dose-limiting cardiotoxicity. We investigated the role that gender has on cardiosensitivity to Dox treatment by evaluating reproductive hormone levels in male, castrated male (c-male), female and ovariectomized female (o-female) adult spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and expression of mitochondria-related genes in male and female adult SHRs.

METHODS

SST-2 breast tumor-bearing SHRs were treated with saline, Dox, dexrazoxane (Drz) or both Dox and Drz and monitored for 14 days. Tumor size was used to monitor anticancer activity. Heart weight, cardiac lesion score and serum levels of cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were used to determine cardiotoxicity. Serum estradiol (E2) and testosterone were evaluated using electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. Expression of mitochondria-related genes was profiled in heart by MitoChip array analyses.

RESULTS

Dox significantly reduced tumor volume (±Drz) and increased heart weight in all genders (13-30% vs. control). Higher heart lesion scores were observed in reproductively normal animals (male 2.9, female 2.2) than in hormone-deficient animals (c-male 1.7, o-female 1.9). Lesion score and cTnT inversely correlated with hormone levels. Reduced levels of both sex hormones were observed after Dox treatment. Gene expression analyses of Dox-treated hearts showed significant differential expression of oxidative stress genes in male hearts and apoptotic genes in both male and female hearts.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that adult tumor-bearing male SHRs are more cardiosensitive to Dox than female or hormone-deficient animals. We provide evidence to suggest that reproductive hormones negatively regulate or are inhibited by Dox-induced cardiotoxicity and the selective cytotoxic mechanism likely functions through the greater activation of oxidative stress and apoptosis in male SHRs.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester as a remedial agent for reproductive functions and oxidative stress-based pathologies of gonads

In recent years, the studies on the roles of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in several disease models and cell cultures are tremendously growing. It is such a great molecule that was used by ancient times to ameliorate some diseases and nowadays, it is used by modern medicine to test the effectiveness. In this mini-review article, the protection capability of CAPE, as a liposoluble antioxidant and a potent nuclear factor kappa B inhibitor, on oxidative and non-oxidative ovary, and testis damages has been summarized. In view of our laboratory findings/experience and those reported in the hitherto literature, we suggest that CAPE possesses protective effects for pathologies of the reproductive organs induced by untoward effects of harmful molecules such as free oxygen radicals, pesticides, methotrexate, and MK-801 (dizocilpine).

Ultra-structural changes and apoptotic activity in cerebellum of post-menopausal-diabetic rats: a histochemical and ultra-structural study

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common and chronic diseases, especially in post-menopausal periods. Neuro-degeneration occurs more frequently in post-menopausal diabetics. Therefore, we investigated ovariectomized rats cerebellar cortex response to the estradiol deficiency and hyperglycemia. For the ovariectomy, the rats were bilaterally ovariectomized, and then DM induced by a single dose of Alloxan monohydrate injection in ovariectomy or/and diabetic groups. During light and electron microscopic examination, degenerated Purkinje cells membrane, swollen organelles, degenerated mitochondria, edema formation and vacuolization were seen in the ovariectomy and ovariectomy-diabetic groups sections. In addition, increased apoptotic activity was observed in the ovariectomy and ovariectomy-diabetic groups compared to the control group. We demonstrated that estradiol and insulin deficiency can affect the cerebellar cortex, which support the hypothesis that the execution of neuronal damages in post-menopausal diabetics. Also, diabetes and menopause are major risks factors for many disorders including nervous system and the number of post-menopausal-diabetics are increasing world-wide.

Accumulation of central fat correlates with an adverse oxidative balance in non-obese postmenopausal women

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether accumulation of central fat is correlated with systemic oxidative stress (OxS) in non-obese apparently healthy postmenopausal women. Serum parameters of OxS (hydroperoxides and non-enzymatic antioxidants) along with body fat distribution, as assessed by dual-energy-X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), were evaluated in 134 non-obese postmenopausal women. Multiple regression analysis showed that central (trunk) fat significantly correlated with both markers of OxS independently of confounding factors (i.e. BMI, smoking, age, hypertension, legs and arms fat mass). In specific, the standardized regression coefficient was positive for hydroperoxides (β = 0.324, p < 0.05) and negative for antioxidants (β = -0.495, p < 0.01) level. In conclusion, the current data showed that the increase in central fat is an independent predictor of OxS condition among non-obese women in postmenopausal status. The possible pro-oxidant effects of the excess in central adiposity might be more harmful among post- than among pre-menopausal women, due to the postulated ability of E2 to contrast oxidative challenge and the related diseases.

Sex-related differences in mast cell activity and doxorubicin toxicity: a study in spontaneously hypertensive rats

Clinically, girls appear to be more sensitive than boys to the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin, whereas the opposite may be true for adults. To identify and characterize potential sex-related differences, adult male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; some ovariectomized [OVX]) received 1 mg/kg of doxorubicin or saline iv weekly for 9, 10, or 12 weeks. Weight gain was slower in treated males. Serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides increased and those of albumin decreased in both sexes, but changes were more pronounced in treated males. Treated males had significantly more severe cardiomyopathy scores and higher serum levels of cTnT than females. The increased cardiotoxicity was accompanied by higher numbers of cardiac mast cells (MCs) and percentage of cardiac MCs undergoing degranulation. Doxorubicin-treated OVX animals had significantly increased numbers of cardiac MCs, more severe myocardial lesions, and elevated serum concentrations of cTnT compared to doxorubicin-treated normal female SHR. The severity of cardiac lesions in the OVX female was similar to that observed in doxorubicin-treated males. This study demonstrated the presence of sex-related differences in the cardiotoxic effects elicited by doxorubicin and identified variations in the level of cardiac MC activity as a factor which could possibly contribute to the male-female dissimilarity.

Cardiac response to doxorubicin and dexrazoxane in intact and ovariectomized young female rats at rest and after swim training

The impact of cancer therapies on adult cardiac function is becoming a concern as more children survive their initial cancer. Cardiovascular disease is now a significant problem to adult survivors of childhood cancer. Specifically, doxorubicin (DOX) may be particularly harmful in young girls. The objective of this study was to characterize DOX damage and determine the ability of dexrazoxane (DEX) to reduce DOX-mediated cardiac damage in sedentary and swim-trained female rats. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were left intact or ovariectomized (OVX) at weaning then injected with DEX (60 mg/kg) before DOX (3 mg/kg), DOX alone, or PBS. Rats were separated into sedentary and swim cohorts. Body weight was reduced in DOX:DEX- but not PBS- or DOX-treated rats. Echocardiographic parameters were similar in sedentary rats. Swim training revealed greater concentric remodeling in DOX-treated rats and reduced fractional shortening in DOX:DEX-treated rats. Calsequestrin 2 was reduced with DOX and increased with DOX:DEX postswim. Sarco(endo)plasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase 2a was reduced and calsequestrin 2 reduced further by swim training only in intact rats. OVX rats were heavier and developed eccentric remodeling post-swim with DOX and eccentric hypertrophy with DOX:DEX. Changes in SERCA2a and calsequestrin 2 expression were not observed. Ovariectomized DOX- and DOX:DEX-treated rats stopped growing during swim training. DEX coinjection did not relieve DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity in intact or hormone-deficient rats. DOX-mediated reductions in growth, cardiac function, and expression of calcium homeostasis proteins were exacerbated by swim. DEX coadministration did not substantially relieve DOX-mediated cardiotoxicity in young female rats. Ovarian hormones reduce DOX-induced cardiotoxicity.

17β-estradiol levels and oxidative balance in a population of pre-, peri-, and post-menopausal women

BACKGROUND

The high incidence of various diseases observed in post-menopausal women has been widely associated to the decline of 17β-estradiol (E2) occurring in correspondence of menopausal transition. One of the mechanisms suggested to explain this link takes into account the ability of E2 to counteract oxidative stress (OS) which is believed to play an important role in several pathogenic processes.

AIM

To investigate whether stages of women's life characterized by different levels of E2 influence OS.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross sectional study of OS markers in 159 women subdivided in 65 pre-menopausal, 36 peri-menopausal, and 58 post-menopausal classified according to the Staging of Reproductive Aging Workshop (STRAW) criteria. E2, follicle-stimulating hormone, and markers of OS including hydroperoxides, thiols, uric acid, total and residual antioxidant power, were assessed.

RESULTS

After adjustment for covariates, only total antioxidant power was significantly different according to menopausal status (p <0.01), with lower value in pre- with respect peri- and post-menopausal women. No significant correlations between E2 levels and OS markers were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Endogen E2, and, consequently, its decline during menopausal transition, is not a determinant factor for OS.

Baseline Serum Cardiac Troponin I Concentrations in Sprague-Dawley, Spontaneous Hypertensive, Wistar, Wistar-Kyoto, and Fisher Rats as Determined with an Ultrasensitive Immunoassay

Cardiac troponins have proved to be reliable blood biomarkers for identifying a variety of myocardial alterations in humans and animals. Recently, an ultrasensitive cTnI assay (Erenna IA) has been used to demonstrate increases in baseline cTnI resulting from drug-induced myocardial injury in rats, dogs, and monkeys, as well as to document baseline cTnI ranges in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The present study was initiated to use the Erenna cTnI assay to further document baseline cTnI concentrations in normal control animals from multiple strains, including SD, Spontaneous Hypertensive (SHR), Wistar, Wistar-Kyoto (WKY), and Fisher strains. Baseline cTnI concentrations were quantified in all rats tested, and males had higher mean cTnI concentrations than females of the same strain. SHR males had the highest mean cTnI concentrations and the largest cTnI variability. Interestingly, cTnI concentrations increased in castrated SHR compared with unaltered male SHR, whereas cTnI concentrations decreased in ovariectomized SHR compared with unaltered female SHR. These results show significant differences in cTnI concentrations between strains, sexes, and noncardiac surgical alterations in control animals, and identify these as potential contributing factors to cTnI baseline variability that should be taken into account when using ultrasensitive cTnI as a biomarker to assess preclinical cardiotoxicity.

Effect of 17beta-oestradiol replacement on vascular responsiveness in ovariectomized diabetic rats

1. Women with functional ovaries exhibit a gender advantage in terms of the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases. However, whether this gender bias pertains in diabetes is unknown. 2. The aim of the present study was to examine the effects of 17beta-oestradiol (E2) on vascular responsiveness in normal and diabetic ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Aged-matched female rats were divided into four groups as follows: (i) OVX; (ii) OVX + E2 treated; (iii) diabetic OVX; and (iv) diabetic OVX + E2 treated. Bilateral ovariectomy was performed and streptozotocin was used to induce experimental diabetes. Rats were treated with 1 mg/kg per day, p.o., E2 for 8 weeks. 3. Although E2 treatment had no effect on blood glucose levels in normal and diabetic OVX rats, it significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and prevented diabetes-induced loss of bodyweight gain. 4. In segments of the thoracic aorta, concentration-dependent vasoconstrictor responses to KCl and phenylephrine were significantly attenuated following E2 treatment in both the normal and diabetic groups. The sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin (10(-6) mol/L) and the Ca(2+) channel blocker nifedipine (10(-6) mol/L) inhibited the transient vasoconstriction to PE in all groups. The constrictor effect of PE was increased by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor N(G)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME; 10(-6) mol/L), but was reduced by superoxide dismutase (SOD; 100 U/mL) and the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (10(-6) mol/L) in all groups. Responses to acetylcholine (ACh; 10(-6) mol/L) demonstrated reduced endothelium-dependent relaxation in non-E2-treated groups. Relaxation responses to ACh were increased by 100 U/mL SOD and 10(-6) mol/L indomethacin, but were reduced by 10(-6) mol/L l-NAME in all groups. There were no differences among the four groups in terms of relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside (10(-11) to 10(-6) mol/L). 5. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that oestrogen treatment has beneficial effects on vascular function in both diabetic and non-diabetic OVX rats due to Ca(2+) regulation and anti-oxidation.

The effect of gonadectomy and estradiol on sensitivity to oxidative stress

The sexual dimorphism of life span and caloric restriction effects in numerous species suggest that estradiol (E2) is protective against oxidative damage. The only direct test of E2's protective effect in mice against in vivo oxidative stress to date may have been confounded by E2's direct chemical action as an antioxidant because it was administered at very high dosages. Therefore, we have identified a low yet physiologically effective dose of E2. We then administered this dose using subcutaneous time-release pellets to ovariectomized mice. Two weeks after E2 pellet implantation, sham-operated, ovariectomized, and ovariectomized E2-supplemented female mice were injected with a lethal dose of paraquat and their survival was followed. It was observed that ovariectomy exacerbates paraquat-induced mortality and is rescued by E2 supplementation. An equivalent experiment was performed on sham-operated, orchidectomized, and E2-supplemented orchidectomized male mice. The survival of male mice was improved by orchidectomy, and E2 gave no further benefit. We interpret the results to mean that E2 is protective against oxidative stress through its regulatory role and that testosterone diminishes protection against oxidative stress.

The effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on TNBS-induced colitis in ovariectomized rats

AIM

The aim of this investigation was to examine the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) on the development of colitis and antioxidant parameters in bilateral ovariectomized rats subjected to trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one Wistar Albino ovariectomized female rats were divided into four subgroups (n = 5 or 6) (colitis control, vehicle control, CAPE 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively). Colitis was induced using an enema of TNBS and ethanol, following which CAPE was administrated for 3 days to induce colitis and effect of CAPE was subsequently evaluated.

RESULTS

Based on microscopic damage scores, there was no difference between rats of the TNBS-colitis and the vehicle-treated groups, whereas treatment with CAPE 10 and 30 mg/kg, respectively, caused a significant reduction in colon injury compared to that observed in rats of the TNBS-colitis and vehicle-treated groups. The histologies of both treatment groups were not significantly different. In terms of the biochemical analyses, myeloperoxidase levels in rats from the CAPE 10 and 30 mg/kg groups were significantly different from that of the colitis control rats; however, the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase and reduced glutathione (GSH) were only significantly different from the levels found colitis control rats in rats administered 10 mg/kg. The levels of MDA, GSH and SOD in rats given CAPE were also significantly different from those of rats in the vehicle control group. These results were consistent with histological findings.

CONCLUSION

CAPE may have a positive effect on the inflammatory bowel disease treatment process and could, therefore, be used as an adjunct therapy in colitis. These effects of CAPE may occur through antiinflammatory and antioxidant mechanisms.