Hyperhomocysteinaemia induced by dietary folate restriction causes kidney oxidative stress in rats

Consumption of Cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) Nuts Counteracts Oxidative Stress and Tissue Inflammation in Mild Hyperhomocysteinemia in Rats

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is a methionine metabolism problem that causes a variety of inflammatory illnesses. Oxidative stress is among the processes thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of the damage produced by HHcy. HHcy is likely to involve the dysfunction of several organs, such as the kidney, liver, or gut, which are currently poorly understood. Nuts are regarded as an important part of a balanced diet since they include protein, good fatty acids, and critical nutrients. The aim of this work was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of cashew nuts in HHcy induced by oral methionine administration for 30 days, and to examine the possible pathways involved. In HHcy rats, cashew nuts (100 mg/kg orally, daily) were able to counteract clinical biochemical changes, oxidative and nitrosative stress, reduced antioxidant enzyme levels, lipid peroxidation, proinflammatory cytokine release, histological tissue injuries, and apoptosis in the kidney, colon, and liver, possibly by the modulation of the antioxidant nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 NRF-2 and inflammatory nuclear factor NF-kB pathways. Thus, the results suggest that the consumption of cashew nuts may be beneficial for the treatment of inflammatory conditions associated with HHcy.

H2S, a novel therapeutic target in renal-associated diseases?

For more than a century, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been regarded as a toxic gas. Recently, the understanding of the biological effects of H2S has been changed. This review surveys the growing recognition of H2S as an endogenous signaling molecule in mammals, with emphasis on its physiological and pathological pathways in the urinary system. This article reviews recent progress of basic and pharmacological researches related to endogenous H2S in urinary system, including the regulatory effects of H2S in the process of antioxidant, inflammation, cellular matrix remodeling and ion channels, and the role of endogenous H2S pathway in the pathogenesis of renal and urogenital disorders.

A longitudinal study of maternal folate and vitamin B12 status in pregnancy and postpartum, with the same infant markers at 6 months of age

Folate and vitamin B12 are involved in homocysteine metabolism and are critical to the methylation of DNA. We aimed to assess plasma vitamin B12 (pB12), plasma folate (pFol), and red cell folate (rcFol) in women and their infants during pregnancy and after birth. Maternal biomarkers were tested as predictors of infant biomarkers, including plasma homocysteine (pHcy), at age 6 months. Participants (n = 153) were recruited at the John Hunter Hospital, Australia. Maternal fasting blood samples were collected at 20 and 36 weeks gestation, and at 14 and 27 weeks postpartum. Fifty healthy, term infants provided non-fasting samples at age 6 months. Plasma homocysteine data were available for 16 infants at age 6 months. Maternal pB12 concentrations fell by 16% from 20 to 36 weeks gestation, but had recovered by 14 weeks postpartum. Maternal rcFol concentrations fell by 31% from 20 weeks gestation to 27 weeks postpartum. Infants breastfed at 6 months had lower pB12 (median 159 vs. 402 pmol/L, n = 23 vs. 18, P < 0.01) and folate (median folate z-score -0.58 vs. 0.85, n = 23 vs. 17, P < 0.01), and higher pHcy (median 11.9 vs. 7.3 μmol/L, n = 8 vs. 6, P < 0.01), than those on infant formula. Maternal pregnancy pFol, but not pB12, inversely predicted infant pHcy, after adjustment for the infant's current pB12 (P = 0.04). Changes in maternal B12 and folate occur during pregnancy and after birth. Infant homocysteine metabolism may be regulated through maternal folate concentrations during pregnancy and postnatal feeding.

Homocysteine thiolactone induces cardiac dysfunction: role of oxidative stress

This study investigates the cardiac functioning in male Wistar rats after treatments with methionine and homocysteine thiolactone (HcyT). The rats were distributed into 3 groups and treated for 8 weeks. Group I was the control (CO) group, given water, group II was treated with methionine, and group III with HcyT (100 mg/kg). Morphometric and functional cardiac parameters were evaluated by echocardiography. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione S-transferase activities, chemiluminescence, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and immunocontent were measured in the myocardium. Hyperhomocysteinemiawas observed in rats submitted to the both treatments. The results showed diastolic function was compromised in HcyT group, seen by the increase of E/A (peak velocity of early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling) ratio, decrease in deceleration time of E wave and left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time. Myocardial performance index was increased in HcyT group and was found associated with increased SOD immunocontent. HcyT group demonstrated an increase in SOD, catalase, and glutatione S-transferase activity, and chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Overall, these results indicated that HcyT induces a cardiac dysfunction and could be associated with oxidative stress increase in the myocardium.

Hydrogen sulfide regulates homocysteine-mediated glomerulosclerosis

BACKGROUND/AIMS

In this study we tested the hypothesis that H(2)S regulates collagen deposition, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) and inflammatory molecules during hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) resulting in attenuation of glomerulosclerosis and improved renal function.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A genetic model of HHcy, cystathionine beta-synthase heterozygous (CBS+/-) and wild-type (WT) 2-kidney (2K) mice were used in this study and supplemented with or without NaHS (30 micromol/l, H(2)S donor) in drinking water for 8 weeks. To expedite the renal damage associated with HHcy, uninephrectomized (1K) mice of similar groups were also used.

RESULTS

Results demonstrated that NAD(P)H oxidase (p47(phox)subunit) and blood pressure were upregulated in WT 1K, CBS+/- 2K and CBS+/- 1K mice with downregulation of H(2)S production and reduced glomerular filtration rate. These changes were normalized with H(2)S supplementation. Both pro- and active MMP-2 and -9 and collagen protein expressions and glomerular depositions were also upregulated in WT 1K, CBS+/- 2K and CBS+/- 1K mice. Increased expressions of inflammatory molecules, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, as well as increased macrophage infiltration, were detected in WT 1K, CBS+/- 2K and CBS+/- 1K mice. These changes were ameliorated with H(2)S supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Together, these results suggest that increased oxidative stress and decreased H(2)S in HHcy causes matrix remodeling and inflammation resulting in glomerulosclerosis and reduced renal function.

Preferential response of glutathione-related enzymes to folate-dependent changes in the redox state of rat liver

BACKGROUND

Oxidative stress likely constitutes an important contributing factor in the onset of degenerative diseases associated with folate deficiency. Direct, as well as homocysteine-linked, antioxidant properties of folate could explain its preventive effect on these pathologies.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aimed at determining the changes in the redox status of adult rats as a function of folate intake.

METHODS

Adult male rats were pair-fed for 4 weeks with a semi-synthetic diet containing 0, 0.5, 1.5, 8 or 20 mg of folic acid/kg. Folate and homocysteine concentrations, redox status markers and antioxidant enzyme activities were measured in the plasma and/or liver of the rats. A principal component analysis of the overall data was performed to draw a general scheme of the changes observed between the conditions.

RESULTS

Folate deficiency caused increased homocysteinemia and features of oxidative stress including reduced plasma antioxidant capacity together with increased lipid peroxidation in liver and heart. This was associated with an increase in the specific activity of several enzymes involved in liver glutathione metabolism (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase), suggesting an adaptive tissue response to the oxidative stress induced by folate deficiency. In contrast, no such variation was observed for hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase.

CONCLUSION

Despite no changes in hepatic levels of total glutathione, our findings indicate that glutathione-dependent antioxidant pathways could be particularly involved in the compensatory mechanism committed by liver to counteract the oxidative stress induced by folate deficiency. They also suggest that folate supplementation may not be associated with a better antioxidant protection of rats.

Folic acid therapy reduces plasma homocysteine levels and improves plasma antioxidant capacity in hemodialysis patients

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the effects of folic acid on homocysteine levels and oxidative stress in 46 stable patients on hemodialysis.

METHODS

This double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial assessed the effects of 6 mo of 10 mg of folic acid (26 patients) or placebo (20 patients) given three times weekly after each dialysis under nurse supervision on homocysteine levels, total plasma antioxidant capacity, and hydroperoxide plasma levels.

RESULTS

Folic acid treatment normalized plasma homocysteine levels in most patients, significantly increased total plasma antioxidant capacity levels, but had no significant effect on hydroperoxide levels. Placebo treatment had no statistically significant effect on the three parameters.

CONCLUSION

The folic acid therapy protocol effectively lowered plasma homocysteine levels and improved the total plasma antioxidant capacity in hemodialysis patients. Further studies are required to assess the usefulness of folic acid for decreasing cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Detrimental role of homocysteine in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Ischemia followed by reperfusion is a major cause for renal injury in both native kidney and renal allografts. Hyperhomocysteinemia, a condition of elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) level, is associated with cardiovascular diseases. Recent evidence suggests that Hcy, at higher levels, may be harmful to other organs such as the kidney. In this study, we investigated the role of Hcy in ischemia-reperfusion-induced renal injury. The left kidney of a Sprague-Dawley rat was subjected to either 30-min or 1-h ischemia followed by 1- or 24-h reperfusion. Ischemia-reperfusion caused a significant increase in peroxynitrite formation and lipid peroxidation in kidneys, which reflected oxidative stress. The number of apoptotic cells in those kidneys was also markedly increased. Hcy levels were elevated 2.9- and 1.5-fold in kidneys subjected to ischemia alone or ischemia-reperfusion, respectively. Further investigation revealed that elevation of Hcy level in the kidney upon ischemia-reperfusion was due to reduced activity of cystathionine-beta-synthase, a key enzyme in Hcy metabolism. Administration of anti-Hcy antibodies into the kidney not only abolished ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and cell death in the kidneys but also restored renal function after 1 h of reperfusion. However, such a protective effect was not sustained after 24 h of reperfusion. In conclusion, ischemia-reperfusion impairs Hcy metabolism in the kidney. Hcy, at elevated levels, is capable of inducing oxidative stress and renal injury. Neutralization of Hcy with antibodies offers transient functional benefit against ischemia-reperfusion-induced oxidative stress and renal injury. These results suggest that Hcy may play a detrimental role in the kidney during ischemia-reperfusion.

The role of obesity and its bioclinical correlates in the progression of chronic kidney disease

In spite of a progressive fall in the incidence of traditional risk factors of cardiovascular morbidity (cigarette smoking, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia), there is an upward trend in the prevalence of obesity and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Furthermore, there is a strong correlation between body mass indices and the relative risk of progression of CKD. The close biophysiological interaction between obesity and CKD is evident by a similar occurrence of comorbidities including insulin resistance, hyperlipidermia, endothelial dysfunction, and sleep disorders. Truncal obesity is a primary component of metabolic syndrome; unlike peripheral fat, the visceral adipocytes are more resistant to insulin. In addition, lipolysis results in a release of free fatty acid and TG, whereas hypertriglycedemia is potentiated by uremic activation of fatty acid synthase. Hypertriglycedemia and low HDL cholesterol increase the relative risk of progression of CKD. Furthermore, endothelial inflammation and premature atherosclerosis are promoted by hyperhomocysteinemia and oxidation of LDL, both of which are commonly observed in CKD and obesity. Predominance of oxidative stress in both obesity and azotemia stimulate synthesis of angiotensin II, which in turn increases TGF-B and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, thereby propagating glomerular fibrosis. Furthermore, local synthesis of angiotensinogen by adipocytes, leptin activation of sympathetic nervous system, and hyperinsulinemia contribute to the development of hypertension in obesity and CKD. In addition, increased renal tubular expression of Na-K-ATPase and a blunted response to natiuretic hormones in obesity promote salt and water retention. Glomerular hyperfiltration from systemic volume load and hypertension results in mesangial cellular proliferation and progressive renal fibrosis. In addition, maternal nutritional deprivation increases the incidence of obesity, hypertension, and diabetes in adulthood. Reduced fetal protein synthesis contributes to oxidative glomerular injury and impairment of renal morphogenesis. Thus, kidneys are poorly equipped to handle physiologic stress that may result from the rapid body growth and programmed metabolic dysfunction later in life. Finally, in order to minimize morbidity of obesity-related kidney disease, preventive strategy must include optimal maternal health care, promotion of healthy nutrition and routine physical exercise, and early detection of CKD.