Melatonin decreases IRF-3 protein expression in the gastrocnemius muscle, reduces IL-1β and LPS plasma concentrations, and improves the lipid profile in rats with apical periodontitis fed on a high-fat diet

• Published in: Odontology 2023-07, Vol.111 (3), p.687-696
• Main Authors: dos Santos, Rodrigo Martins, Belardi, Bianca Elvira, Tsosura, Thais Verônica Saori, Chiba, Fernando Yamamoto, Mattera, Maria Sara de Lima Coutinho, Machado, Nathalia Evelyn Silva, Cantiga-Silva, Cristiane, Carvalho, Núbia Ramos, Bravo, Lara Teschi, Nobumoto, Ana Carla Thalez Ywabuchi, Oliveira, Sandra Helena Penha, Cintra, Luciano Tavares Angelo, Matsushita, Dóris Hissako
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport - metabolism; Animals; Dentistry; Diet, High-Fat - adverse effects; Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; Gastrocnemius muscle; Gum disease; High density lipoprotein; High fat diet; IL-1β; Inflammation; Interferon regulatory factor 3; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3 - metabolism; Interleukin-1beta - metabolism; Lipids; Lipopolysaccharides; Lipopolysaccharides - pharmacology; Low density lipoprotein; Medicine; Melatonin; Melatonin - pharmacology; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; MyD88 protein; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88 - metabolism; NF-kappa B - metabolism; NF-κB protein; Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery; Original Article; Periapical Periodontitis; Periodontitis; Plasma; Protein expression; Proteins; Rats; TLR4 protein; Toll-Like Receptor 4 - metabolism; Toll-like receptors; Western blotting; β-Interferon
• ISSN: 1618-1247; 1618-1255
• DOI: 10.1007/s10266-022-00782-w

To evaluate the effects of melatonin (MEL) on the expression of toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4); myeloid differentiation primary response protein-88 (MyD88); TIR-domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon-β (TRIF); IFN regulatory-factor-3 (IRF-3); nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB); plasma concentrations of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS); and lipid profile of rats with apical periodontitis (AP) fed on a high-fat diet (HFD). Eighty 60-day-old rats were divided into eight groups: control, AP, HFD, HFDAP, CNMEL, APMEL, HFDMEL and HFDAPMEL. HFD groups were fed on a HFD for 107 days. On day 7, experimental AP was induced in the AP groups, and after 70 days, MEL (5 mg/kg) was administered to the MEL groups for 30 days. Plasma concentrations of LPS and IL-1β were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the lipid profile was analyzed using biochemical tests. The expression of proteins involved in the TLR4 pathway (TLR4, MyD88, TRIF, IRF-3 and NF-κB) in the gastrocnemius muscle (GM) was evaluated using western blotting and qRT-PCR. Treatment with MEL decreased IRF-3 protein expression in GM and IL-1β plasma concentration in the APMEL and HFDMEL groups. Reduction in LPS plasma concentration was reported only in the HFDMEL group. Additionally, a decrease in LDL and an increase in HDL were observed in the HFDMEL and HFDAPMEL groups. Treatment with MEL exhibited anti-inflammatory and anti-hyperlipidemic effects attributed to HFD and AP by reducing the plasma concentrations of IL-1β and LPS in addition to reducing IRF-3 protein expression in the GM, which is associated with the production of inflammatory cytokines.