EFFECTS OF THE STEROID DIGOXIN ON B LYMPHOCYTES, ANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROFILE IN A MURINE MODEL

EFFECTS OF THE STEROID DIGOXIN ON B LYMPHOCYTES, ANTIBODY PRODUCTION AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY PROFILE IN A MURINE MODEL

• Author
• Maria Luisa Arantes Campos
• Co-authors
• Mayara Cristini Sebastião Silva , Marlon Silva de Almeida Sampaio , Ricardo Correia da Silva , Mariana Pires Cavalcanti Teixeira , Vinicius Ribeiro Cabral , Luciana Souza de Paiva
• Abstract

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  Introduction: Digoxin is a cardiotonic glycoside that inhibits the Na+/K+ ATPase pump. Beyond its well-known cardiovascular effects, Digoxin also modulates the immune system, though its role in immunoregulation, particularly of B lymphocytes, remains underexplored. Understanding Digoxin's effects on B lymphocytes is relevant as these cells are fundamental to the humoral adaptive response. To date, no study has investigated the impact of Digoxin on B lymphocyte regulation. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of Digoxin in vivo and in vitro on B lymphocyte homeostasis in central and peripheral lymphoid organs and the anti-inflammatory effects in Balb/c and C57BL/6 mice. Material and Methods: Balb/c and C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injections of 0.3125 mg/Kg Digoxin elixir (equivalent to clinical doses) or RPMI medium alone (control group) for three consecutive days. Twenty-four hours post-injection, mice were euthanized, and organs and peripheral blood were collected.  Cytokine secretion from lymphocytes stimulated in vitro and treated or not with Digoxin was measured using immunoenzymatic assay. Results: In Balb/c mice treated with Digoxin, there was an increase in B lymphocytes in the spleen and mesenteric lymph node, different from that observed in C57BL/6 mice in which there was a decrease in this population. This increase in B lymphocytes in Balb/c mice was not attributed to enhanced proliferation, viability, activation status or increased production in the bone marrow. Additionally, Digoxin administration in vivo elevated serum levels of total immunoglobulins M and G. In vitro, Digoxin reduced the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IL-6, and IL-2. Conclusions: Digoxin treatment increased the humoral response in Balb/c mice and reduced inflammatory cytokines, suggesting its potential use as a drug against chronic inflammation.

• Keywords
• Digoxin, B Lymphocytes, Antibodies, Immunoregulation
• Subject Area
• Other

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