Metformin reduces NAD(P)H oxidase activity in mouse cultured podocytes through purinergic dependent mechanism by increasing extracellular ATP concentration

Hyperglycemia affects the functioning numbers of podocytes and leads to a gradual decline of renal function. The normalization of glucose level is a principle therapeutic goal in diabetic patients and metformin is a popular hypoglycemic drug used in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin activates AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and decreases NAD(P)H oxidase activity in podocytes leading to reduction of free radical generation. Similar effects are observed after activation of P2 receptors. Therefore, we investigated whether metformin increases extracellular ATP concentration and affects the activities of NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK through P2 receptors. Experiments were performed on cultured mouse podocytes. NAD(P)H oxidase activity was measured by chemiluminescence and changes in AMPK activity were estimated by immunoblotting against AMPKα-Thr(172)-P. Metformin increased extracellular ATP concentration by reduction of ecto-ATPase activity, decreased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and increased AMPK phosphorylation. A P2 receptor antagonist, suramin (300 µM), prevented metformin action on NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK phosphorylation. The data suggests a novel mechanism of metformin action, at least in podocytes. Metformin, which increases extracellular ATP concentration leads to activation of P2 receptors and consequent modulation of the podocytes' metabolism through AMPK and NAD(P)H oxidase which, in turn, may affect podocyte functioning.

Hydrogen peroxide induces dimerization of protein kinase G type Iα subunits and increases albumin permeability in cultured rat podocytes

Podocytes help regulate filtration barrier permeability in the kidneys. They express contractile proteins that are characteristic of smooth muscle cells as well as receptors for vasoactive factors such as angiotensin II and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). The later one generates intracellular cGMP, with subsequent activation of cGMP-dependent protein kinase; PKG (isoform PKGIα and PKGIβ). In this study, we asked whether hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), a physiological vasorelaxing factor, affected podocyte permeability and the podoctye PKGIα signaling pathway. Expression of PKGIα was confirmed in cultured rat podocytes using RT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western blotting. Exposure of podocytes to exogenous H(2)O(2) (100 µM) in non-reducing conditions increased the formation of PKGIα interprotein disulfide bonds, affected the phosphorylation of PKG target proteins, namely MYPT1 (maximal increase of about 57% at 30 min) and MLC (maximal decrease of about 62% at 10 min). Furthermore, H(2)O(2) increased the permeability of a layer of podocytes to albumin: Transmembrane flux for albumin increased five-fold (106.6 ± 5.2 µg/ml vs. 20.2 ± 2.5 µg/ml, P < 0.05, n = 5), and the PKG inhibitor Rp-8-Br-cGMPS (100 µM) prevented the flux increase. These data suggest that oxidative modulation of PKGIα in podocytes plays an important

High glucose concentration affects the oxidant-antioxidant balance in cultured mouse podocytes

Hyperglycemia is well-recognized and has long-term complications in diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy. In podocytes, the main component of the glomerular barrier, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of high glucose induces dysfunction and increases excretion of albumin in urine. This suggests an impaired antioxidant defense system has a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. We studied expression of NAD(P)H oxidase subunits by Western blotting and immunofluorescence and the activities of the oxidant enzyme, NAD(P)H, and antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), in mouse podocytes cultured in a high glucose concentration (30  mM). We found long-term (3 and 5 days) exposure of mouse podocytes to high glucose concentrations caused oxidative stress, as evidenced by increased expression of Nox4 and activities of NAD(P)H oxidase (Δ 182%) and SOD (Δ 39%) and decreased activities of GPx (Δ -40%) and CAT (Δ -35%). These biochemical changes were accompanied by a rise in intracellular ROS production and accumulation of hydrogen peroxide in extracellular space. The role of Nox4 in ROS generation was confirmed with Nox4 siRNA. In conclusion, high glucose concentration affects the oxidant-antioxidant balance in mouse podocytes, resulting in enhanced generation of superoxide anions and its attenuated metabolism. These observations suggest free radicals may play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

Extracellular ATP through P2 receptors activates AMP-activated protein kinase and suppresses superoxide generation in cultured mouse podocytes

Podocytes are an important constituent of the glomerular filtration barrier. The function of these glomerular cells is affected by extracellular nucleotides through P2 receptors. The activation of P2 receptors may lead to the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase, the key enzyme in oxidative stress, with the intracellular pathways leading to intracellular ATP depletion associated with an increase in the intracellular AMP:ATP ratio. This deregulation of the energy balance activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to restore energy homeostasis. We investigated whether P2 receptor activation influences NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent rate of superoxide anion (O(2)(•-)) generation and AMPK activity in cultured mouse podocytes. The rate of O(2)(•-) generation was measured by chemiluminescence and changes in AMPK activity were determined by immunoblotting against AMPKα-Thr(172)-P. The addition of 100 μM ATP induced a rapid and transient decrease in rate of O(2)(•-) generation and increased AMPK phosphorylation with maximal effects in the first minute (2.44±0.09 versus 1.62±0.06 nmol/mg protein/min, P<0.05 and 0.64±0.04 versus 0.97±0.07, P<0.05, respectively). Both parameters returned to control levels at 10 min. Suramin (300 μM, P2 receptor antagonist) and compound C (100μM, AMPK inhibitor) completely, and STO-609 (25 μM, CaMKK-β inhibitor) partially, prevented ATP action in rate of O(2)(•-) generation and AMPK phosphorylation. Various ATP analogues (10 μM) mimicked the effects of ATP on rate of O(2)(•-) generation and AMPK phosphorylation. The data indicate that extracellular ATP, acting through P2 receptors upstream of CaMKK-β, modulates podocyte function through simultaneous effects on AMPK and NAD(P)H oxidase activities. This mechanism may play a role in restoring energy homeostasis after oxidative stress.

Purinergic modulation of glucose uptake into cultured rat podocytes: effect of diabetic milieu

Extracellular purines act via P1 and P2 receptors on podocytes and may influence on their function. This action may be modified under various (patho)physiological conditions leading to development of podocytopathy. Aim of study was to investigate effects of diabetic milieu, represented by high glucose concentration (HG, 30 mM glucose) on purinergic-induced changes of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) uptake and on extracellular purines metabolism in cultured rat podocytes. Basal 2-DG uptake was 2.7-fold enhanced in HG compared to normal glucose concentration, NG (1271 ± 86 vs. 477 ± 37 nmol/h/mg protein, P<0.001). ATP stimulated 2-DG uptake by 44 ± 4% and 29 ± 5% in NG and HG, respectively. ATP analogues, β, γ-methylene ATP and 2-methylthio ATP stimulated 2-DG uptake in range of 18-34% in NG and 16-17% in HG. Benzoylbenzoyl ATP increased 2-DG uptake about 24 ± 2% in NG however, its effect in HG reached 50 ± 1%. The antagonists of P2 receptors (suramin, reactive blue 2, PPADS) decreased basal 2-DG uptake in NG and HG; suramin and reactive blue 2 at average of 15 ± 4% in NG but in HG the effect was in following order: suramin 28 ± 3%; PPADS 20 ± 3% and RB-2 9 ± 0.9%. Extracellular adenosine concentration was higher in HG than in NG (0.48 ± 0.01 vs. 5.05 ± 0.39 μM, P < 0.05), however intracellular ATP content and extracellular ATP concentration were not affected. Neither ecto-ATPase nor ecto-5'-nucleotidase activities were affected in HG. In conclusion, diabetic milieu affects purinergic modulation of glucose transport into podocytes which may play a role in development of diabetic podocytopathy.

Metformin induces suppression of NAD(P)H oxidase activity in podocytes

Hyperglycemia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NAD(P)H oxidase, producing superoxide anion, is the main source of ROS in diabetic podocytes and their production contributes to the development of diabetic nephropathy. We have investigated the effect of an antidiabetic drug, metformin on the production of superoxide anion in cultured podocytes and attempted to elucidate underlying mechanisms. The experiments were performed in normal (NG, 5.6mM) and high (HG, 30mM) glucose concentration. Overall ROS production was measured by fluorescence of a DCF probe. Activity of NAD(P)H oxidase was measured by chemiluminescence method. The AMP-dependent kinase (AMPK) activity was determined by immunobloting, measuring the ratio of phosphorylated AMPK to total AMPK. Glucose accumulation was measured using 2-deoxy-[1,2-(3)H]-glucose. ROS production increased by about 27% (187+/-8 vs. 238+/-9 arbitrary units AU, P<0.01) in HG. Metformin (2mM, 2h) markedly reduced ROS production by 45% in NG and 60% in HG. Metformin decreased NAD(P)H oxidase activity in NG (36%) and HG (86%). AMPK activity was increased by metformin in NG and HG (from 0.58+/-0.07 to. 0.99+/-0.06, and from 0.53+/-0.03 to 0.64+/-0.03; P<0.05). The effects of metformin on the activities of NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK were abolished in the presence of AMPK inhibitor, compound C. We have shown that metformin decreases production of ROS through reduction of NAD(P)H oxidase activity. We also have demonstrated relationship between activity of NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK.

[The role of ABC transporters in the renal elimination of organic anions and drugs]

The ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are a large superfamily of integral membrane proteins that actively transport organic ions across biological membranes. These transporters play important role in the reabsorptive and excretory capacity of the kidney. Nine structurally and functionally related members (MRP1-7, P-gp, BCRP) have been identified, which differ from each other by their localization, expression levels, and substrate specificity. This review discusses current knowledge on the renal characteristics of ABC transporters, with specific focus on their regulation.

Synthesis of 7-oxo-7H-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinoline derivatives as potential anticancer agents active on multidrug resistant cell lines

Following our earlier finding that tetracyclic anthraquinone analogs with a fused pyridone ring exhibit cytotoxic activity toward multidrug resistant tumor cells, a series of new potential antitumor agents, 7-oxo-7H-naphtho[1,2,3-de]quinoline derivatives (3, 6-8, 10-12, 14, 15, and 18), bearing one or two basic side chains and various substituents at the pyridone ring, have been synthesized. The compounds have been obtained from 1-amino-4-chloroanthraquinone or 1-aminoanthraquinone by cyclization with diethyl malonate and the subsequent reactions of the key intermediates 2, 4, and 17. The compounds exhibited cytotoxic activity toward sensitive human leukemia cell line HL-60 and against its resistant sublines HL-60/VINC (MDR1 type) and HL-60/DX (MRP1 type).

Strategies for overcoming ABC-transporters-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumors is a major cause of failure in antitumor chemotherapy. This type of cross-resistance is due to the expression of ABC transporter glycoproteins actively effluxing the drug from the cells against the concentration gradient at the expense of metabolic energy, thus preventing the accumulation in cells of therapeutic concentration of active agents. In this review strategies for overcoming this adverse phenomenon are discussed. They comprise the control of expression of MDR glycoprotein transporters and control of the functioning of the expressed transporter proteins. The latter approach is discussed in more detail, comprising the following general strategies: (i) development of compounds that are not substrates of efflux pump(s), (ii) use of agents that inactivate (inhibit) MDR proteins, (iii) design of cytostatics characterized by fast cellular uptake, surpassing their mediated efflux, (iv) use of compounds competing with the drug for the MDR protein-mediated efflux. Positive and negative aspects of these strategies are analysed, with special attention put on strategy based on the use of MDR modulators in combination therapy, allowing the restoration of cytotoxic activity of clinical cytostatics towards resistant tumor cells.

2,7-Dihydro-3H-pyridazino[5,4,3-kl]acridin-3-one derivatives, novel type of cytotoxic agents active on multidrug-resistant cell lines. Synthesis and biological evaluation

We have earlier postulated that the presence of a pyridazone ring fused with an anthracenedione moiety resulted in the analog's ability to overcome multidrug resistance of tumor cells [J. Med. Chem.1999, 42, 3494]. High cytotoxic activity of obtained anthrapyridazones [Bioorg. Med. Chem.2003, 11, 561] toward the resistant cell lines, prompted us to synthesize the similarly modified acridine compounds. A series of pyridazinoacridin-3-one derivatives (2b-h) were prepared from the reaction of 9-oxo-9,10-dihydroacridine-1-carboxylate with POCl(3), followed by addition of the appropriate (alkylamino)alkylhydrazines. In vitro cytotoxic activity toward sensitive and resistant leukemia cell lines: L1210, K562, K562/DX, HL-60, HL-60/VINC, and HL-60/DX, with various type of multidrug resistance (MDR and MRP) was determined. The compounds studied exhibited in comparison to the reference cytostatics (DX, MIT) desirable very low resistance indexes (RI). Variations have been observed depending upon the substituent and the type of drug exporting pump. The cytotoxic activities of examined compounds, as well as of model anthrapyridazone derivative PDZ, were lower than those of reference drugs (DX, MIT) due to their diminished affinity to DNA.

Strategies for overcoming ABC-transporters-mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumor cells

The development of multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumors is a major cause of failure in antitumor chemotherapy. This type of cross-resistance is due to the expression of ABC transporter glycoproteins actively effluxing the drug from the cells against the concentration gradient at the expense of metabolic energy, thus preventing the accumulation in cells of therapeutic concentration of active agents. In this review strategies for overcoming this adverse phenomenon are discussed. They comprise the control of expression of MDR glycoprotein transporters and control of the functioning of the expressed transporter proteins. The latter approach is discussed in more detail, comprising the following general strategies: (i) development of compounds that are not substrates of efflux pump(s), (ii) use of agents that inactivate (inhibit) MDR proteins, (iii) design of cytostatics characterized by fast cellular uptake, surpassing their mediated efflux, (iv) use of compounds competing with the drug for the MDR protein-mediated efflux. Positive and negative aspects of these strategies are analysed, with special attention put on strategy based on the use of MDR modulators in combination therapy, allowing the restoration of cytotoxic activity of clinical cytostatics towards resistant tumor cells.

Metformin reduces NAD(P)H oxidase activity in mouse cultured podocytes through purinergic dependent mechanism by increasing extracellular ATP concentration

Hyperglycemia affects the functioning numbers of podocytes and leads to a gradual decline of renal function. The normalization of glucose level is a principle therapeutic goal in diabetic patients and metformin is a popular hypoglycemic drug used in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Metformin activates AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and decreases NAD(P)H oxidase activity in podocytes leading to reduction of free radical generation. Similar effects are observed after activation of P2 receptors. Therefore, we investigated whether metformin increases extracellular ATP concentration and affects the activities of NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK through P2 receptors. Experiments were performed on cultured mouse podocytes. NAD(P)H oxidase activity was measured by chemiluminescence and changes in AMPK activity were estimated by immunoblotting against AMPKα-Thr(172)-P. Metformin increased extracellular ATP concentration by reduction of ecto-ATPase activity, decreased NAD(P)H oxidase activity and increased AMPK phosphorylation. A P2 receptor antagonist, suramin (300 µM), prevented metformin action on NAD(P)H oxidase and AMPK phosphorylation. The data suggests a novel mechanism of metformin action, at least in podocytes. Metformin, which increases extracellular ATP concentration leads to activation of P2 receptors and consequent modulation of the podocytes' metabolism through AMPK and NAD(P)H oxidase which, in turn, may affect podocyte functioning.