The effect of high dose digoxin on cytokines in healthy dogs.
BACKGROUND
Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1beta are pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing myocardial dysfunction and a negative inotropic effect. The drugs used to treat heart failure affect the production of cytokines. Digoxin, on which this study was focused, is one of the drugs for the treatment of heart failure.


OBJECTIVE
The present study was designed to examine the early effects of high doses of digoxin on the production of cytokines in healthy dogs.


METHODS
Digoxin was given parenterally to dogs at 0.15 mg/kg. IL-1beta and TNF-alpha production and levels of digoxin in the serum were measured 0, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h following administration of digoxin.


RESULTS
As the levels of serum digoxin taken at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of administration were considered significantly high compared with preceding values (p < 0.001), no notable change in serum IL-1beta and TNF-alpha levels was observed.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that high doses of digoxin do not cause a significant cytokine production in heart muscle in the early phase.
Dülger
Haluk
H
Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, University of Yüzüncü Yil, Tip Fakültesi, Biyokimya Anabilim Dali, Maraş Caddesi, 65300 Van, Turkey.
Sekeroğlu
Mehmet Ramazan
MR
Eryonucu
Beyhan
B
Noyan
Tevfik
T
Alici
Süleyman
S
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D004077:Digoxin / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004285:Dogs; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis
D016207:Cytokines; D007375:Interleukin-1; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D004077:Digoxin