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Modulation of the mTOR Pathway by Curcumin in the Heart of Septic Mice

Bruna A C Rattis1,2, Henrique L Piva3, Andressa Duarte1

  • 1Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-900, São Paulo, Brazil.

Pharmaceutics
|November 11, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Curcumin treatment reduced cardiac damage in septic mice by modulating the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. Both free curcumin and nanocurcumin showed cardioprotective effects, suggesting potential therapeutic benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Cardiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Sepsis can cause cardiac dysfunction.
  • The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway is implicated in sepsis-induced heart problems.
  • Curcumin is a known mTOR inhibitor in vitro, but its effects in sepsis models are unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of curcumin on the mTOR pathway in the hearts of mice with experimental sepsis.
  • To assess the cardioprotective potential of both free curcumin (FC) and nanocurcumin (NC) in sepsis.

Main Methods:

  • Sepsis was induced in mice.
  • Mice were treated with FC or NC.
  • Cardiac tissues were analyzed at 24 and 120 hours post-sepsis.
  • Histopathological, ultrastructural, and mRNA expression analyses of mTOR pathway components were performed.

Main Results:

  • FC and NC treatments reduced sepsis-induced cardiac lesions.
  • Curcumin treatment decreased mTORC1 and Raptor mRNA levels at 24 and 120 hours.
  • mTORC2 mRNA levels increased at 24 hours post-sepsis.
  • Total mTOR mRNA expression was reduced at 24 hours in treated groups compared to septic controls.

Conclusions:

  • Curcumin and nanocurcumin exhibit cardioprotective effects in experimental sepsis.
  • These protective effects may be mediated by the modulation of the mTOR signaling pathway.
  • Curcumin represents a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.
Keywords:
curcuminmTORsepsis

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