Abstract
Dexamethasone (Dexa), frequently used as an anti-inflammatory agent, paradoxically leads to muscle inflammation and muscle atrophy. Receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) lead to nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome formation through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) upregulation. NLRP3 inflammasome results in pyroptosis and is associated with the Murf-1 and atrogin-1 upregulation involved in protein degradation and muscle atrophy. The effects of Ecklonia cava extract (ECE) and dieckol (DK) on attenuating Dexa-induced muscle atrophy were evaluated by decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome formation in the muscles of Dexa-treated animals. The binding of AGE or high mobility group protein 1 to RAGE or TLR4 was increased by Dexa but significantly decreased by ECE or DK. The downstream signaling pathways of RAGE (c-Jun N-terminal kinase or p38) were increased by Dexa but decreased by ECE or DK. NF-κB, downstream of RAGE or TLR4, was increased by Dexa but decreased by ECE or DK. The NLRP3 inflammasome component (NLRP3 and apoptosis-associated speck-like), cleaved caspase -1, and cleaved gasdermin D, markers of pyroptosis, were increased by Dexa but decreased by ECE and DK. Interleukin-1β/Murf-1/atrogin-1 expression was increased by Dexa but restored by ECE or DK. The mean muscle fiber cross-sectional area and grip strength were decreased by Dexa but restored by ECE or DK. In conclusion, ECE or DK attenuated Dexa-induced muscle atrophy by decreasing NLRP3 inflammasome formation and pyroptosis.