Myocardial oxidative stress contributes to transgenic β2‐adrenoceptor activation‐induced cardiomyopathy and heart failure

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE While maintaining cardiac performance, chronic β‐adrenoceptor activation eventually exacerbates the progression of cardiac remodelling and failure. We examined the adverse signalling pathways mediated by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase and reactive oxygen species (ROS) after chronic β2‐adrenoceptor activation. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice with transgenic β2‐adrenoceptor overexpression (β2‐TG) and non‐transgenic littermates were either untreated or treated with an antioxidant (N‐acetylcysteine, NAC) or NADPH oxidase inhibitors (apocynin, diphenyliodonium). Levels of ROS, phosphorylated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), pro‐inflammatory cytokines and collagen content in the left ventricle (LV) and LV function were measured and compared. KEY RESULTS β2‐TG mice showed increased ROS production, phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and collagen, and progressive ventricular dysfunction. β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation similarly increased ROS production and phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and HSP27 in cultured cardiomyocytes. Treatment with apocynin, diphenyliodonium or NAC reduced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK and HSP27 in both cultured cardiomyocytes and the LV of β2‐TG mice. NAC treatment (500 mg·kg−1·day−1) for 2 weeks eliminated the up‐regulated expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and collagen in the LV of β2‐TG mice. Chronic NAC treatment to β2‐TG mice from 7 to 10 months of age largely prevented progression of ventricular dilatation, preserved contractile function (fractional shortening 37 ± 5% vs. 25 ± 3%, ejection fraction 52 ± 5% vs. 32 ± 4%, both P < 0.05), reduced cardiac fibrosis and suppressed matrix metalloproteinase activity. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS β2‐adrenoceptor stimulation provoked NADPH oxidase‐derived ROS production in the heart. Elevated ROS activated p38 MAPK and contributed significantly to cardiac inflammation, remodelling and failure. LINKED ARTICLE This article is commented on by Di Lisa et al., pp. 1009–1011 of this issue. To view this commentary visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1476‐5381.2010.01130.x