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Helmy SA, Nour OA, G Abd El Salam AS. Ameliorative effect of Metformin / alpha-lipoic acid combination on diabetic nephropathy via modulation of YAP/ miR-29a/PTEN/p-AKT axis. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 135:112294. [PMID: 38776856 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the most frequent and serious complication of type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Lack of a precise remedy and socio-economic burden of DN patients implements searching about alternative therapies. This study aims to evaluate the possible beneficial effect of alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) alone or in combination with metformin (Met) in ameliorating STZ/High fat diet (HFD)-induced DN. T2DM was induced via HFD administration for 15 weeks and single ip injection of STZ (35 mg/kg) at week 7. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped as follows: control group, STZ/HFD-induced DN, Met/T; daily treated with 150 mg/kg Met, α-LA/T group; daily treated with 100 mg/kg α-LA, and Met/T + α-LA/T group; daily treated with Met and α-LA at same doses. Administration of Met and α-LA succeeded in attenuating STZ/HFD-induced DN as manifested by significant decrease in kidney weight as well as renal and cardiac hypertrophy index. Moreover, Met and α-LA improved glycemic control, kidney functions and lipid profile as well as restored redox balance. Additionally, Met and α-LA administration significantly upregulated PTEN level accompanied by significant downregulation in renal p-AKT and miR-29a levels. Histopathologically, Met and α-LA administration mitigated STZ/HFD-induced histopathological alterations in kidney and heart. Moreover, immunohistochemical examination revealed a significant decrease in renal YAP, collagen I and Ki-67. Taken together, these observations revealed that Met and α-LA administration could protect against STZ/HFD-induced DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sahar A Helmy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura post code: 35516, Egypt.
| | - Omnia A Nour
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura post code: 35516, Egypt
| | - Al Shaima G Abd El Salam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura post code: 35516, Egypt
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Lin Z, Lv D, Liao X, Peng R, Liu H, Wu T, Wu K, Sun Y, Zhang Z. CircUBXN7 promotes macrophage infiltration and renal fibrosis associated with the IGF2BP2-dependent SP1 mRNA stability in diabetic kidney disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1226962. [PMID: 37744330 PMCID: PMC10516575 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1226962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Inflammatory cell infiltration is a novel hallmark of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), in part, by activated macrophages. Macrophage-to-tubular epithelial cell communication may play an important role in renal fibrosis. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been reported in the pathogenesis of various human diseases involving macrophages activation, including DKD. However, the exact mechanism of circRNAs in macrophage infiltration and renal fibrosis of DKD remains obscure. Methods In our study, a novel circRNA circUBXN7 was identified in DKD patients using microarray. The function of circUBXN7 in vitro and in vivo was investigated by qRT-PCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence. Finally, a dual-luciferase reporter assay, ChIP, RNA pull-down, RNA immunoprecipitation and rescue experiments were performed to investigate the mechanism of circUBXN7. Results We demonstrated that the expression of circUBXN7 was significantly upregulated in the plasma of DKD patients and correlated with renal function, which might serve as an independent biomarker for DKD patients. According to investigations, ectopic expression of circUBXN7 promoted macrophage activation, EMT and fibrosis in vitro, and increased macrophage infiltration, EMT, fibrosis and proteinuria in vivo. Mechanistically, circUBXN7 was transcriptionally upregulated by transcription factor SP1 and could reciprocally promote SP1 mRNA stability and activation via directly binding to the m6A-reader IGF2BP2 in DKD. Conclusion CircUBXN7 is highly expressed in DKD patients may provide the potential biomarker and therapeutic target for DKD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyue Lin
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Dan Lv
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaohui Liao
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Rui Peng
- Department of Bioinformatics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Handeng Liu
- Center of Teaching and Learning, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Tianhui Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Keqian Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yan Sun
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Darenskaya M, Kolesnikov S, Semenova N, Kolesnikova L. Diabetic Nephropathy: Significance of Determining Oxidative Stress and Opportunities for Antioxidant Therapies. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12378. [PMID: 37569752 PMCID: PMC10419189 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) belongs to the category of socially significant diseases with epidemic rates of increases in prevalence. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a specific kind of kidney damage that occurs in 40% of patients with DM and is considered a serious complication of DM. Most modern methods for treatments aimed at slowing down the progression of DN have side effects and do not produce unambiguous positive results in the long term. This fact has encouraged researchers to search for additional or alternative treatment methods. Hyperglycemia has a negative effect on renal structures due to a number of factors, including the activation of the polyol and hexosamine glucose metabolism pathways, the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems, the accumulation of advanced glycation end products and increases in the insulin resistance and endothelial dysfunction of tissues. The above mechanisms cause the development of oxidative stress (OS) reactions and mitochondrial dysfunction, which in turn contribute to the development and progression of DN. Modern antioxidant therapies for DN involve various phytochemicals (food antioxidants, resveratrol, curcumin, alpha-lipoic acid preparations, etc.), which are widely used not only for the treatment of diabetes but also other systemic diseases. It has also been suggested that therapeutic approaches that target the source of reactive oxygen species in DN may have certain advantages in terms of nephroprotection from OS. This review describes the significance of studies on OS biomarkers in the pathogenesis of DN and analyzes various approaches to reducing the intensity of OS in the prevention and treatment of DN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Darenskaya
- Department of Personalized and Preventive Medicine, Scientific Centre for Family Health and Human Reproduction Problems, 664003 Irkutsk, Russia; (S.K.); (N.S.); (L.K.)
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Dugbartey GJ, Alornyo KK, Adams I, Atule S, Obeng-Kyeremeh R, Amoah D, Adjei S. Targeting hepatic sulfane sulfur/hydrogen sulfide signaling pathway with α-lipoic acid to prevent diabetes-induced liver injury via upregulating hepatic CSE/3-MST expression. Diabetol Metab Syndr 2022; 14:148. [PMID: 36229864 PMCID: PMC9558364 DOI: 10.1186/s13098-022-00921-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes-induced liver injury is a complication of diabetes mellitus of which there are no approved drugs for effective treatment or prevention. This study investigates possible hepatoprotective effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and sulfane sulfur/hydrogen sulfide pathway as a novel protective mechanism in a rat model of type 2 diabetes-induced liver injury. METHODS Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats underwent fasting for 12 h after which fasting blood glucose was measured and rats were randomly assigned to diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) was induced in diabetic group by administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were treated daily with ALA (60 mg/kg/day p.o.) or 40 mg/kg/day DL-propargylglycine (PPG, an inhibitor of endogenous hydrogen sulfide production) for 6 weeks and then sacrificed. Liver, pancreas and blood samples were collected for analysis. Untreated T2DM rats received distilled water. RESULTS Hypoinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, hepatomegaly and reduced hepatic glycogen content were observed in untreated T2DM rats compared to healthy control group (p < 0.001). Also, the pancreas of untreated T2DM rats showed severely damaged pancreatic islets while liver damage was characterized by markedly increased hepatocellular vacuolation, sinusoidal enlargement, abnormal intrahepatic lipid accumulation, severe transaminitis, hyperbilirubinemia, and impaired hepatic antioxidant status and inflammation compared to healthy control rats (p < 0.01). While pharmacological inhibition of hepatic sulfane sulfur/hydrogen sulfide with PPG administration aggravated these pathological changes (p < 0.05), ALA strongly prevented these changes. ALA also significantly increased hepatic expression of hydrogen sulfide-producing enzymes (cystathionine γ-lyase and 3-mecaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase) as well as hepatic sulfane sulfur and hydrogen sulfide levels compared to all groups (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence showing that ALA prevents diabetes-induced liver injury by activating hepatic sulfane sulfur/hydrogen sulfide pathway via upregulation of hepatic cystathionine γ-lyase and 3-mecaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase expressions. Therefore, ALA could serve as a novel pharmacological agent for the treatment and prevention of diabetes-induced liver injury, with hepatic sulfane sulfur/hydrogen sulfide as a novel therapeutic target.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Karl K Alornyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ismaila Adams
- Department of Medical Pharmacology, University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu, Accra, Ghana
| | - Stephen Atule
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Richard Obeng-Kyeremeh
- Department of Animal Experimentation, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Daniel Amoah
- Department of Animal Experimentation, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Samuel Adjei
- Department of Animal Experimentation, College of Health Sciences, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Yan LJ. The Nicotinamide/Streptozotocin Rodent Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Renal Pathophysiology and Redox Imbalance Features. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091225. [PMID: 36139064 PMCID: PMC9496087 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. While there has been a great advance in our understanding of the pathogenesis of DN, no effective managements of this chronic kidney disease are currently available. Therefore, continuing to elucidate the underlying biochemical and molecular mechanisms of DN remains a constant need. In this regard, animal models of diabetes are indispensable tools. This review article highlights a widely used rodent model of non-obese type 2 diabetes induced by nicotinamide (NA) and streptozotocin (STZ). The mechanism underlying diabetes induction by combining the two chemicals involves blunting the toxic effect of STZ by NA so that only a percentage of β cells are destroyed and the remaining viable β cells can still respond to glucose stimulation. This NA-STZ animal model, as a platform for the testing of numerous antidiabetic and renoprotective materials, is also discussed. In comparison with other type 2 diabetic animal models, such as high-fat-diet/STZ models and genetically engineered rodent models, the NA-STZ model is non-obese and is less time-consuming and less expensive to create. Given that this unique model mimics certain pathological features of human DN, this model should continue to find its applications in the field of diabetes research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang-Jun Yan
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA
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Dugbartey GJ, Wonje QL, Alornyo KK, Adams I, Diaba DE. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment improves adverse cardiac remodelling in the diabetic heart - The role of cardiac hydrogen sulfide-synthesizing enzymes. Biochem Pharmacol 2022; 203:115179. [PMID: 35853498 DOI: 10.1016/j.bcp.2022.115179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a licensed drug for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. We recently reported that it also improves diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In this study, we present evidence supporting our hypothesis that the cardioprotective effect of ALA is via upregulation of cardiac hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-synthesizing enzymes. METHODS Following 12 h of overnight fasting, T2DM was induced in 23 out of 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats by intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) followed by streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) while the rest served as healthy control (HC). T2DM rats then received either oral administration of ALA (60 mg/kg/day; n = 7) or 40 mg/kg/day DL-propargylglycine (PAG, an endogenous H2S inhibitor; n = 7) intraperitoneally for 6 weeks after which all rats were sacrificed and samples collected for analysis. Untreated T2DM rats served as diabetic control (DCM; n = 9). RESULTS T2DM resulted in weight loss, islet destruction, reduced pancreatic β-cell function and hyperglycemia. Histologically, DCM rats showed significant myocardial damage evidenced by myocardial degeneration, cardiomyocyte vacuolation and apoptosis, cardiac fibrosis and inflammation, which positively correlated with elevated levels of cardiac damage markers compared to HC rats (p < 0.001). These pathological alterations worsened significantly in PAG-treated rats (p < 0.05). However, ALA treatment restored normoinsulemia, normoglycemia, prevented DCM, and improved lipid and antioxidant status. Mechanistically, ALA significantly upregulated the expression of cardiac H2S-synthesizing enzymes and increased plasma H2S concentration compared to DCM rats (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION ALA preserves myocardial integrity in T2DM likely by maintaining the expression of cardiac H2S-synthezing enzymes and increasing plasma H2S level.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Quinsker L Wonje
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Karl K Alornyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ismaila Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah E Diaba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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Dugbartey GJ, Alornyo KK, Diaba DE, Adams I. Activation of renal CSE/H 2S pathway by alpha-lipoic acid protects against histological and functional changes in the diabetic kidney. Biomed Pharmacother 2022; 153:113386. [PMID: 35834985 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2022.113386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION We previously reported that alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) supplementation protects against progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). In this study, we aim to investigate whether the mechanism of renal protection by ALA involves renal cystathionine γ-lyase/hydrogen sulfide (CSE/H2S) system in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODS Thirty-seven male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent 12 h of overnight fasting. To induce T2DM, 30 of these rats received intraperitoneal administration of nicotinamide (110 mg/kg) and streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). T2DM rats then received either oral administration of ALA (60 mg/kg/day) or intraperitoneal administration of 40 mg/kg/day DL-propargylglycine (PAG, a CSE inhibitor) or both for 6 weeks after which rats were sacrificed and samples collected for analysis. Untreated diabetic and non-diabetic rats served as diabetic and healthy controls respectively. RESULTS T2DM was characterized by reduced pancreatic β-cell function and hyperglycemia. Histologically, untreated diabetic rats showed significantly damaged pancreatic islets, glomerular and tubular injury, with elevated levels of renal function markers compared to healthy control rats (p < 0.001). These pathological changes worsened significantly following PAG administration (p < 0.05). While some renal protection was observed in ALA+PAG rats, ALA administration in untreated diabetic rats provided superior protection comparable to healthy control rats, with improved antioxidant status, lipid profile and reduced inflammation. Mechanistically, ALA significantly activated renal CSE/H2S system in diabetic rats, which was markedly suppressed in PAG-treated rats (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that ALA protects against DKD development and progression by activating renal CSE/H2S pathway. Hence, CSE/H2S pathway may represent a therapeutic target in the treatment or prevention of DKD in diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- George J Dugbartey
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana.
| | - Karl K Alornyo
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Deborah E Diaba
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
| | - Ismaila Adams
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra, Ghana
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