The Nephroprotective Effect of Lycopene on Renal Ischemic Reperfusion Injury: A Mouse Model

Potential nephroprotective effects of angiotensin II type 2 receptor agonist Compound 21 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

This study examined the reno-protective potential of Compound 21 during renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by regulating the PI3K expression. 20 adult male Swiss-albino mice, aged 8-12 weeks and weighing 20-30g, were randomly assigned to four equal groups: sham, control, vehicle, and Compound 21. Serum urea, creatinine, inflammatory mediators, tissue 8-isoprostane, and myeloperoxidase were quantified using ELISA. Compared to the sham group, blood levels of urea, creatinine, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-10 were significantly higher in the ischemia-reperfusion group than in the sham group (p<0.05). However, these indicators were significantly lower in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). Histological analysis revealed significant renal tissue damage in the ischemia-reperfusion group (p<0.05), which was significantly reduced in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). PCR results showed that PI3K expression was significantly lower (p<0.05) in the control group compared to the sham group but significantly higher in the Compound 21 group (p<0.05). Furthermore, P-AKT expression levels in the control group were considerably lower than in the sham group (p<0.05). On the other hand, the level of P-AKT expression in the Compound 21 group was significantly upregulated compared to the control group (p<0.05). The findings revealed that Compound 21 could mitigate renal dysfunction induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury in male mice through modulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, resulting in decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and renal oxidative stress markers.

NETosis and kidney disease: what do we know?

Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in the blood. They are rapidly mobilized from the circulation to sites of inflammation and/or infection. In affected tissues, neutrophils exhibit some dramatic antimicrobial functions, including degranulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, phagocytosis, and formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Like other cells of the immune system, after fulfilling their biological duties, they enter the path of death. Depending on the conditions, they may undergo different types of cell death (apoptosis, necrosis, necroptosis, autophagy, NETosis, and pyroptosis) that require the participation of multiple signaling pathways. NETosis is a unique neutrophil cell death mechanism that gives rise to different inflammatory and autoimmune pathological conditions. Recent studies have shown that NETosis also plays a role in the formation and/or progression of kidney diseases. This review discusses the underlying mechanism of NETosis and its relationship with some major kidney diseases in light of the current knowledge.

Semaglutide in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice

Ischemia and reperfusion injury (I/R) is a serious condition leading to organ failure, characterized by poor blood supply followed by rapid resuscitation of blood flow and reoxygenation. Renal failure caused by renal ischemia has high mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to explore the potential role of Semaglutide as a novel and effective therapeutic strategy for acute renal failure. Additionally, we aimed to assess the possible protective effect of Semaglutide on kidney I/R injury in mice through modulation of the inflammatory and oxidative pathways via phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/adenosine triphosphate (PI3K/AKT) activation. We employed twenty-eight albino mice to induce the I/R injury model by clamping the renal artery for 30 min followed by a period of reperfusion for 2 hours. The control group was exposed to I/R injury, while the Semaglutide-treated group was pretreated with the drug 12 hours before induction of ischemia at a dose of 100 nmol/L/kg via the intraperitoneal route (i.p). In addition, the DMSO-treated group was subjected to similar conditions to the Semaglutide-treated group. At the end of the experiments, kidneys and blood samples were collected for investigation. Semaglutide could act as a protective agent against acute kidney injury by reducing inflammatory molecules such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and its cognate receptor, TNF-α R, interleukine-6 (IL-6). Furthermore, Semaglutide reduced F8 isoprostane levels, increased PI3K and AKT levels in renal tissues, and mitigated renal damage. Semaglutide had renoprotective effects via modulation of the inflammatory response and oxidative pathway by targeting the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Effects of Lycopene Attenuating Injuries in Ischemia and Reperfusion

Tissue and organ ischemia can lead to cell trauma, tissue necrosis, irreversible damage, and death. While intended to reverse ischemia, reperfusion can further aggravate an ischemic injury (ischemia-reperfusion injury, I/R injury) through a range of pathologic processes. An I/R injury to one organ can also harm other organs, leading to systemic multiorgan failure. A type of carotenoid, lycopene, has been shown to treat and prevent many diseases (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, diabetes, osteoporosis, male infertility, neurodegenerative diseases, and cardiovascular disease), making it a hot research topic in health care. Some recent researches have suggested that lycopene can evidently ameliorate ischemic and I/R injuries to many organs, but few clinical studies are available. Therefore, it is essential to review the effects of lycopene on ischemic and I/R injuries to different organs, which may help further research into its potential clinical applications.

Plants with Therapeutic Potential for Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury: A Systematic Review

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a complex condition which has an intricate pathology mostly involving hemodynamic, inflammatory, and direct toxic effects at the cellular level with high morbidity and mortality ratios. Renal ischemic reperfusion injury (RIRI) is the main factor responsible for AKI, most often observed in different types of shock, kidney transplantation, sepsis, and postoperative procedures. The RIRI-induced AKI is accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species generation together with the activation of various inflammatory pathways. In this context, plant-derived medicines have shown encouraging nephroprotective properties. Evidence provided in this systemic review leads to the conclusion that plant-derived extracts and compounds exhibit nephroprotective action against renal ischemic reperfusion induced-AKI by increasing endogenous antioxidants and decreasing anti-inflammatory cytokines. However, there is no defined biomarker or target which can be used for treating AKI completely. These plant-derived extracts and compounds are only tested in selected transgenic animal models. To develop the results obtained into a therapeutic entity, one should apply them in proper vertebrate multitransgenic animal models prior to further validation in humans.

NETosis in ischemic/reperfusion injuries: An organ-based review

Neutrophil extracellular trap (NETosis), the web-like structures induced by neutrophil death, is an important inflammatory mechanism of the immune system leading to reactive oxygen species production/coagulopathy, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, and ischemia. NETosis exerts its role through different mechanisms such as triggering Toll-like receptors, inflammatory cytokines, platelet aggregation, neutrophil activation/infiltration, and vascular impairment. NETosis plays a key role in the prognosis of coronary artery disease, ischemic injury of kidney, lung, gastrointestinal tract and skeletal muscles. In this review, we explored the molecular mechanisms involved in NETosis, and ischemic/reperfusion injuries in body organs.