Change and significance of nuclear factor-kappaB in adriamycin induced cardiomyopathy in rats.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at investigating the change and significance of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in cardiomyopathy induced by adriamycin (ADR) in rats. METHODS: Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: control, ADR and ADR + pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) groups. After 30-day experiment, myocardial histopathological observation was performed. Location and distribution of NF-kappaB p50 was examined by immunohistochemical assay. Expression of NF-kappaB p50 protein was examined by immunobolt assay. Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay examined activity of NF-kappaB; Myocardium p53 gene expression was examined by RT-PCR analysis. RESULTS: The myocardial lesions of rats were less pronounced in ADR + PDTC group than in ADR group. Compared with control group, there were many myocardium nucleuses, which expressed NF-kappaB p50 and distribute under epicardium. Expression of NF-kappaB p50 protein in nucleus increased significantly in ADR group. The NF-kappaB binding activity increased significantly in ADR group. Myocardium expressions of p53 mRNA increased in ADR group. CONCLUSIONS: The NF-kappaB binding activity increased significantly in cardiomyopathy induced by ADR in rats. Moreover, NF-kappaB plays an important role in causing degeneration of myocardial tissue and regulating expression of related-apoptosis genes.