Dezocine Suppresses Myocardial Cell Apoptosis in Rats with Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury via TLR4/NF-κB Signaling Pathway

ABSTRACT

Background: Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (MI/R) injury is a leading cause of myocardial damage, characterized by apoptosis and impaired cardiac function. Dezocine, a mixed opioid receptor agonist/antagonist, has shown potential in mitigating MI/R injury, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dezocine on myocardial cell apoptosis in rats with MI/R injury, focusing on the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham, model, and dezocine (n = 12 each). The sham group underwent thoracotomy without MI/R injury. The model group received normal saline prior to MI/R injury induction, while the dezocine group was administered dezocine. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) p65 expression were analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Western blotting quantified Bax and Caspase-3 protein levels while quantitative polymerase chain reaction assessed their mRNA expression. Cell apoptosis was evaluated via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Results: TLR4 and NF-κB p65 expression were significantly elevated in the model and dezocine groups compared to the sham group but notably lower in the dezocine group versus the model group. Bax and Caspase-3 protein and mRNA levels followed a similar trend. TUNEL assay results demonstrated higher apoptosis rates in the model and dezocine groups compared to the sham group, with the dezocine group showing a marked reduction in apoptosis compared to the model group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Dezocine suppresses the TLR4/NF-κB pathway, reducing myocardial apoptosis in MI/R injury, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent in mitigating cardiac damage.

KEYWORDS

• Apoptosis
• dezocine
• ischemia-reperfusion injury
• TLR4/NF-κB

Showing references and in-text citations exactly as published.

• DOI10.1177/09731296251325341Copy

RELATED ARTICLES

Matched on section and article type within this issue of Pharmacogn. Mag..

• Article · VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1Leonurine Attenuates Neuroinflammation and Oxidative Stress in a Pentylenetetrazoleinduced Epilepsy in RatsHuan Hui, Fan Li · pp. 113–124Original Research ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1A Comparative Study Between Cheilocostus speciosus (Sea Qust) and Saussurea lappa (Indian Qust): Decoding the Spectral, Anti-bacterial, and Anti-cancer AnalysesSiddig Ibrahim Abdelwahab, Manal Mohamed Elhassan Taha, Syam Mohan, Mukul Sharma, Md Shamsher Alam, Mohamed Eltaib Elmobark, Sivakumar S Moni, Mohammed Albeishy, Ohood Sufyani, Afraim Koty, Adel S. Al-Zubairi · pp. 125–135Original Research ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1Integrate Molecular Docking and Animal Model Validation into the Research of the Effect and Potential Mechanism of Eupatilin Against Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion InjuryYulong Li, Xiang Li · pp. 136–146Original Research ArticleSame type: Article
• Article · VOLUME 22, ISSUE 1Albiflorin Enhances Diabetic Wound Healing Process by Enhancing Re-epithelialization and Ameliorating Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Diabetic RatsJie Yang, Xinrong Zhang, Jiawei Zhang, Lu Yan · pp. 147–157Original Research ArticleSame type: Article