5-hydroxytryptamine (5HT)-induced valvulopathy: compositional valvular alterations are associated with 5HT2B receptor and 5HT transporter transcript changes in Sprague-Dawley rats

Exp Toxicol Pathol. 2008 Aug;60(4-5):253-62. doi: 10.1016/j.etp.2008.03.005. Epub 2008 Jun 3.

Abstract

Several drugs have been linked to valvulopathy in humans, including therapeutic agents for obesity, Parkinson's disease and migraine. There is increasing evidence that the 5-hydroxytryptamine 2B receptor (5HT2BR) activation and/or increased circulating 5HT (5-hydroxytryptamine) may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of drug-induced valvulopathy. In the present study, we investigated whether 7-day 5HT subcutaneous injections led to structural and compositional abnormalities in conjunction with transcriptomic modulation of 5HT2BR and 5HT transporter (5HTT) genes in the aortic and mitral valves of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Subcutaneous injections of 5HT for 7 days resulted in thickening and compositional alteration of aortic and mitral valves in SD rats. More specifically, valve-leaflets from 5HT-treated rats had greater valve thickness, a higher amount of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and a lower amount of collagen. The compositional alteration was associated with up-regulation and down-regulation of 5HT2BR and 5HTT genes, respectively. The present study strongly suggests that the activation of 5HT2BR and inhibition of 5HTT played a significant role in the pathogenesis of 5HT-induced valvulopathy in SD rats. Thus, these findings further highlight the necessity and/or utilization of animal models to screen potential valvular effects of serotonergic compounds.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve / chemistry
  • Aortic Valve / drug effects
  • Aortic Valve / pathology
  • Collagen / analysis
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Glycosaminoglycans / analysis
  • Heart Valve Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Heart Valve Diseases / pathology
  • Lasers
  • Microdissection
  • Mitral Valve / chemistry
  • Mitral Valve / drug effects
  • Mitral Valve / pathology
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / biosynthesis
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B / drug effects*
  • Serotonin / toxicity*
  • Serotonin Agents / toxicity*
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / biosynthesis
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins / drug effects*

Substances

  • Glycosaminoglycans
  • Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2B
  • Serotonin Agents
  • Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins
  • Slc6a4 protein, rat
  • Serotonin
  • Collagen