p53 inhibition attenuates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury through microRNA-142-5p regulating SIRT7/NF-κB

Cell death induced by acute renal injury: a perspective on the contributions of accidental and programmed cell death

The involvement of cell death in acute kidney injury (AKI) is linked to multiple factors including energy depletion, electrolyte imbalance, reactive oxygen species, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and activation of several cell death pathway components. Since our review in 2003, discussing the relative contributions of apoptosis and necrosis, several other forms of cell death have been identified and are shown to contribute to AKI. Currently, these various forms of cell death can be fundamentally divided into accidental cell death and regulated or programmed cell death based on functional aspects. Several death initiator and effector molecules switch molecules that may act as signaling components triggering either death or protective mechanisms or alternate cell death pathways have been identified as part of the machinery. Intriguingly, several of these cell death pathways share components and signaling pathways suggesting complementary or compensatory functions. Thus, defining the cross talk between distinct cell death pathways and identifying the unique molecular effectors for each type of cell death may be required to develop novel strategies to prevent cell death. Furthermore, depending on the multiple forms of cell death simultaneously induced in different AKI settings, strategies for combination therapies that block multiple cell death pathways need to be developed to completely prevent injury, cell death, and renal function. This review highlights the various cell death pathways, cross talk, and interactions between different cell death modalities in AKI.

Zn2+ improves sepsis-induced acute kidney injury by upregulating SIRT7-mediated Parkin acetylation

Zn2+ levels are reported to be correlated with kidney function. We explored the significance of Zn2+ in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (SI-AKI) through the regulation of sirtuin 7 (SIRT7) activity. The sepsis rat model was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) and intraperitoneally injected with ZnSO4 or SIRT7 inhibitor 97491 (SIRT7i), with renal tubular injury assessed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. In vitro, human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were induced with lipopolysaccharide to obtain a renal injury cell model, followed by ZnSO4 or SIRT7i and autophagy inhibitor (3-methyladenine) treatment. Interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18, reactive oxygen species (ROS), Parkin acetylation level, kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) expression levels were determined. The renal tubule injury, inflammation condition, and pyroptosis-related and autophagy-related protein levels were assessed. The pyroptosis in kidney tissues and autophagosome formation were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Zn2+ alleviated renal injury in CLP rats and inhibited pyroptosis and its related protein levels by inhibiting SIRT7 activity in septic rat renal tissues. In vitro, Zn2+ increased HK-2 cell viability and reduced KIM-1, NGAL, IL-1β, IL-18, NLRP3 inflammasome, cleaved caspase-1, gasdermin D-N levels, and pyroptotic cell number. Zn2+ increased autophagosome number and LC3BII/LC3BI ratio and decreased TOM20, TIM23, P62, and mitochondrial ROS levels. Zn2+ increased Parkin acetylation by repressing SIRT7 activity. Inhibiting mitophagy partially averted Zn2+-inhibited NLRP3 inflammasome activation and apoptosis in HK-2 cells. Zn2+ upregulated Parkin acetylation by repressing SIRT7 activity to promote mitophagy and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, thus improving SI-AKI.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Zn2+ upregulated Parkin acetylation by repressing sirtuin 7 activity to promote mitophagy and inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, thus improving sepsis-induced acute kidney injury.

Caffeine and neonatal acute kidney injury

Acute kidney injury is one of the most threatening diseases in neonates, with complex pathogenesis and limited treatment options. Caffeine is a commonly used central nervous system stimulant for treating apnea in preterm infants. There is compelling evidence that caffeine may have potential benefits for preventing neonatal acute kidney injury, but comprehensive reports are lacking in this area. Hence, this review aims to provide a summary of clinical data on the potential benefits of caffeine in improving neonatal acute kidney injury. Additionally, it delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying caffeine's effects on acute kidney injury, with a focus on various aspects such as oxidative stress, adenosine receptors, mitochondrial dysfunction, endoplasmic reticulum stress, inflammasome, autophagy, p53, and gut microbiota. The ultimate goal of this review is to provide information for healthcare professionals regarding the link between caffeine and neonatal acute kidney injury and to identify gaps in our current understanding.

The role of natural products versus miRNA in renal cell carcinoma: implications for disease mechanisms and diagnostic markers

Natural products are chemical compounds produced by living organisms. They are isolated and purified to determine their function and can potentially be used as therapeutic agents. The ability of some bioactive natural products to modify the course of cancer is fascinating and promising. In the past 50 years, there have been advancements in cancer therapy that have increased survival rates for localized tumors. However, there has been little progress in treating advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is resistant to radiation and chemotherapy. Oncogenes and tumor suppressors are two roles played by microRNAs (miRNAs). They are involved in important pathogenetic mechanisms like hypoxia and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT); they control apoptosis, cell growth, migration, invasion, angiogenesis, and proliferation through target proteins involved in various signaling pathways. Depending on their expression pattern, miRNAs may identify certain subtypes of RCC or distinguish tumor tissue from healthy renal tissue. As diagnostic biomarkers of RCC, circulating miRNAs show promise. There is a correlation between the expression patterns of several miRNAs and the prognosis and diagnosis of patients with RCC. Potentially high-risk primary tumors may be identified by comparing original tumor tissue with metastases. Variations in miRNA expression between treatment-sensitive and therapy-resistant patients' tissues and serum allow for the estimation of responsiveness to target therapy. Our knowledge of miRNAs' function in RCC etiology has a tremendous uptick. Finding and validating their gene targets could have an immediate effect on creating anticancer treatments based on miRNAs. Several miRNAs have the potential to be used as biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the current knowledge regarding natural compounds and their modes of action in combating cancer. Also, this study aims to give information about the diagnostic and prognostic value of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and their involvement in the pathogenesis of RCC.

Sirtuins in kidney diseases: potential mechanism and therapeutic targets

Sirtuins, which are NAD+-dependent class III histone deacetylases, are involved in various biological processes, including DNA damage repair, immune inflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial homeostasis, autophagy, and apoptosis. Sirtuins are essential regulators of cellular function and organismal health. Increasing evidence suggests that the development of age-related diseases, including kidney diseases, is associated with aberrant expression of sirtuins, and that regulation of sirtuins expression and activity can effectively improve kidney function and delay the progression of kidney disease. In this review, we summarise current studies highlighting the role of sirtuins in renal diseases. First, we discuss sirtuin family members and their main mechanisms of action. We then outline the possible roles of sirtuins in various cell types in kidney diseases. Finally, we summarise the compounds that activate or inhibit sirtuin activity and that consequently ameliorate renal diseases. In conclusion, targeted modulation of sirtuins is a potential therapeutic strategy for kidney diseases. Video Abstract.

The preventative effect of Baihe Gujin Pill on cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by activating the PI3K/AKT and suppressing the NF-κB/MAPK pathways

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Baihe Gujin Pill (BHGJP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from the "Collection of Medical Formulas". BHGJP is applied to treat lung and kidney deficiency by nourishing yin and clearing heat. However, the role and preventative mechanism of BHGJP in cisplatin induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI) are poorly understood.

AIM OF THE STUDY

The preventative effect of BHGJP on CIAKI by the in vitro and in vivo experiments based on network pharmacology was investigated.

METHODS

Network pharmacology was used to predict the protective effect of BHGJP on CIAKI. The effect and mechanism of BHGJP against CIAKI were detected and verified by the in vitro kidney cells 293T and HK-2 as well as the in vivo mice model established by a single injection of cisplatin.

RESULTS

Network pharmacology predicted that BHGJP prevented CIAKI by regulating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways. BHGJP could reverse the reduced cell viability of HK-2 and 293T cells caused by cisplatin without decreasing its cytotoxic effects on H460, H1299, and A549 cells. Meanwhile, BHGJP effectively controlled kidney injury in the CIAKI model. Moreover, cisplatin induced cell apoptosis and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were downregulated after treatment with BHGJP. The changes of oxidative stress indexes of GSH, MDA, and SOD as well as the inflammatory factors of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-1β in the CIAKI model were recovered to normal state when BHGJP treatment. Furthermore, BHGJP activated PI3K/AKT pathway and suppressed the NF-κB/MAPK pathway in the CIAKI model.

CONCLUSION

The study found that BHGJP prevented CIAKI by inhibiting apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation via regulating PI3K/AKT and NF-κB/MAPK pathways, providing new efficacy and clinical applications for BHGJP.

miRNAs as potential game-changers in renal cell carcinoma: Future clinical and medicinal uses

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has the highest mortality rate of all genitourinary cancers, and its prevalence has grown over time. While RCC can be surgically treated and recurrence is only probable in a tiny proportion of patients, early diagnosis is crucial. Mutations in a large number of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes contribute to pathway dysregulation in RCC. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have considerable promise as biomarkers for detecting cancer due to their special combination of properties. Several miRNAs have been proposed as a diagnostic or monitoring tool for RCC based on their presence in the blood or urine. Moreover, the expression profile of particular miRNAs has been associated with the response to chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted therapeutic options like sunitinib. The goal of this review is to go over the development, spread, and evolution of RCC. Also, we emphasize the outcomes of studies that examined the use of miRNAs in RCC patients as biomarkers, therapeutic targets, or modulators of responsiveness to treatment modalities.

Therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Shenkang injection against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury in mice

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Shenkang injection (SKI), a Chinese patent medicine injection, has been approved for the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) due to its definite clinical therapeutic efficacy. However, the effect and associated underlying mechanism of Shenkang injection against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) has not yet been well elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and associated underlying mechanism of Shenkang injection against CDDP-induced AKI.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We established a CDDP-induced AKI mouse model to evaluate renal function by biochemical markers measurement and to observe histopathological alterations by haemotoxylin and eosin (HE)-staining sections of renal. In addition, the distribution of representative components of SKI in the kidneys of mice was evaluated by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Furthermore, the degree of oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed by detecting the levels of inflammatory cytokines and oxidants, while the related mechanisms were elucidated by network pharmacology.

RESULTS

CDDP could induce excessive inflammation and severe injury to the kidneys of mice. However, SKI significantly ameliorated the kidney damages and improved the renal function by reducing the levels of renal function markers (SCr, BUN and urine protein), and inhibiting the production of inflammatory cytokines IL-34, IL-6 and TNF-α. SKI repaired oxidative balance through up-regulation of antioxidants SOD and GSH and down-regulated oxidants MDA. Moreover, 4 components from SKI were detected in the kidney by LC-MS/MS quantification. In addition, pharmacology network indicated the PI3K/AKT, TNF, MAPK, and p53 were the possible signaling pathways for the therapeutic effect of SKI against CDDP-induced AKI, which were related to inflammation, oxidative stress and apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

In the present study, we for the first time demonstrated that SKI alleviates CDDP-induced nephrotoxicity by antioxidant and anti-inflammation via regulating PI3K/AKT, MAPK, TNF, and p53 signaling pathways. The study may provide a scientific rationale for the clinical indication of SKI.

Effect of FXR agonist GW4064 in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma in rats

The study objective was to observe the treatment effect of the farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist GW4064 in a rat model of hilar cholangiocarcinoma to explore a new therapeutic target for gene therapy for hilar cholangiocarcinoma. Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (treatment group, model group, control group and sham operation group, 20 rats in each group). The four groups were fed a standard diet. The treatment group and the model group were injected with a suspension of cholangiocarcinoma QBC939 cells into the hilar bile duct with a microsyringe, the control group was injected with normal saline, and the sham operation group was not injected with anything. A modified tail suspension test (TST) was used to evaluate the vitality of the rats. At 4 weeks, one rat in the treatment group and model group was euthanized, and the changes in the hilar bile duct were recorded. The procedure was repeated at 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, hilar cholangiocarcinoma occurred in the treatment group and model group. Then, the treatment group was injected with GW4064 intraperitoneally at a dose of 50 mg/kg/day. One week after injection, the rats in the four groups were euthanized. Pathological examination confirmed that tumours had formed, and hilar bile duct tissues were taken from the four groups. FXR, Bsep, Ntcp and NF-κB expression in the hilar bile duct was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. After three weeks, the rats in the treatment group and model group ate less, and their weight was significantly reduced. Six weeks later, hilar cholangiocarcinoma was detected in the treatment group and model group. After treatment with GW4064, the ratios of FXR/GAPDH mRNA, Bsep/GAPDH mRNA, Ntcp/GAPDH mRNA and NF-κBp65/GAPDH mRNA were significantly different among the four groups. Under a light microscope, FXR protein reacted with anti-FXR antibody, Bsep protein reacted with anti-Bsep antibody, Ntcp protein reacted with anti-Ntcp antibody and NF-κBp65 protein reacted with anti-NF-κBp65 antibody, and they showed granular expression. Every pathological section included 4,800 cells, and there were different numbers of positive cells in each group. FXR expression in the hilar cholangiocarcinoma of rats was significantly lower than that in normal hilar bile duct tissues. GW4064 increased the expression of FXR in tumour tissues. These findings suggest that FXR may be a new therapeutic target and that GW4064 may be helpful in the treatment of hilar cholangiocarcinoma.

Sirtuin 7 Inhibitor Attenuates Colonic Mucosal Immune Activation in Mice-Potential Therapeutic Target in Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Accumulating evidence has shown that sirtuin 7 (SIRT7), a mediator of various cellular activities, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of various immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. However, information remains limited regarding the role of SIRT7 in intestinal inflammation. We used a murine colitis model to investigate the role of SIRT7 in intestinal immunity and whether SIRT7 inhibitors could attenuate the intestinal inflammatory response. Mice were divided into three groups: control, colitis-induced, and SIRT7-inhibitor-treated. A colitis mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection and nasal challenge with ovalbumin, as in our previous study. Quantitative analyses of inflammatory cytokines and SIRT7 levels in the colonic mucosa were performed to compare the changes in inflammatory responses between the three groups. The colitis group showed increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and SIRT7 in the colonic mucosa. The inflammatory reaction was suppressed in colitis-induced mice administered the SIRT7 inhibitor. The qRT-PCR results showed normalization of inflammatory cytokines in the SIRT7 inhibitor-treated group. Histologic study revealed a decrease in the extent of inflammation after SIRT7 treatment. We also observed that the degree of clinical inflammation was improved in SIRT7-treated mice. Our study demonstrated that SIRT7 inhibition attenuated the inflammatory response in the colon of mice, suggesting a possible role for SIRT7 in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated intestinal inflammation.