Theranekron Attenuates Inflammation, Oxidative Stress Index, and Apoptosis in Lipopolysaccharide‐Induced Cardiovascular Toxicity: Association With Hypoxia‐Inducible Factor‐1 Alpha‐Related Gene Expression

This study aimed to evaluate the possible protective effects of Theranekron, an extract derived from Tarantula cubensis venom, on cardiovascular damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in an experimental rat model. A total of 32 male Wistar Albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Control, Lipopolysaccharide, Lipopolysaccharide plus Theranekron, and Theranekron alone. Lipopolysaccharide administration caused pronounced histopathological changes in the heart and aorta, including endothelial sloughing, hyperemia, hemorrhage, and infiltration of inflammatory cells. These pathological findings were accompanied by elevated oxidative stress markers, increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha and inducible nitric oxide synthase immunoreactivity, and increased caspase-3 immunoreactivity. Additionally, genes associated with the hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) pathway-such as interleukin 6, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), and vascular endothelial growth factor-were significantly upregulated in the lipopolysaccharide group. Theranekron pretreatment was associated with partial attenuation of oxidative stress imbalance, of inflammatory and apoptotic immunoreactivity, and of the upregulation of HIF-1α-related transcripts. Overall, these findings suggest that Theranekron may offer partial protection against early LPS-induced cardiovascular injury.