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Schork A, Vogel E, Bohnert BN, Essigke D, Wörn M, Fischer I, Heyne N, Birkenfeld AL, Artunc F. Amiloride versus furosemide for the treatment of edema in patients with nephrotic syndrome: A pilot study (AMILOR). Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2024:e14183. [PMID: 38822593 DOI: 10.1111/apha.14183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
AIM In rodent models of nephrotic syndrome (NS), edema formation was prevented by blockade of the epithelial sodium channel ENaC with amiloride. However, apart from case reports, there is no evidence favoring ENaC blockade in patients with NS. METHODS The monocentric randomized controlled AMILOR study investigated the antiedematous effect of amiloride (starting dose 5 mg/day, max. 15 mg/day) in comparison to standard therapy with the loop diuretic furosemide (40 mg/day, max. 120 mg/day) over 16 days. Overhydration (OH) was measured by bioimpedance spectroscopy (BCM, Fresenius). Depending on the OH response, diuretic dose was adjusted on days 2, 5, 8 and 12, and if necessary, hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) was added from d8 (12.5 mg/day, max. 25 mg/day). The primary endpoint was the decrease in OH on d8. The study was terminated prematurely due to insufficient recruitment and a low statistical power due to a low actual effect size. RESULTS Median baseline OH was +26.4 (interquartile range 15.5-35.1)% extracellular water (ECW) in the amiloride arm and + 27.9 (24.1-29.4)% ECW in the furosemide arm and decreased by 1.95 (0.80-6.40) and 5.15 (0.90-8.30)% ECW after 8 days, respectively, and by 10.10 (1.30-14.40) and 7.40 (2.80-10.10)% ECW after 16 days, respectively. OH decrease on d8 and d16 was not significantly different between both arms. CONCLUSION The AMILOR study is the first randomized controlled pilot study suggesting a similar antiedematous effect as furosemide. Further studies are required to better define the role of amiloride in NS (EudraCT 2019-002607-18).
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Affiliation(s)
- Anja Schork
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Vogel
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Bernhard N Bohnert
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Daniel Essigke
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Wörn
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Imma Fischer
- Institute for Clinical Epidemiology and Applied Biometry, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nils Heyne
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Andreas L Birkenfeld
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
| | - Ferruh Artunc
- Division of Diabetology, Endocrinology and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine IV, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- Institute of Diabetes Research and Metabolic Diseases (IDM) of the Helmholtz Center Munich at the University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Tübingen, Germany
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de Cos M, Mosoyan G, Chauhan K, Troost JP, Wong JS, Lefferts S, Morgan P, Meliambro K, Egerman M, Ray J, Parker T, Levine D, Seshan S, Bardash Y, Horowitz B, Kent CA, Shaw MM, Perlman A, Moledina DG, Coca SG, Campbell KN. Urinary Plasminogen as a Marker of Disease Progression in Human Glomerular Disease. Am J Kidney Dis 2024:S0272-6386(24)00630-9. [PMID: 38452919 DOI: 10.1053/j.ajkd.2024.01.520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
RATIONALE & OBJECTIVE Glomerular disorders have a highly variable clinical course, and biomarkers that reflect the molecular mechanisms underlying their progression are needed. Based on our previous work identifying plasminogen as a direct cause of podocyte injury, we designed this study to test the association between urine plasmin(ogen) (ie, plasmin and its precursor plasminogen) and end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). STUDY DESIGN Multicenter cohort study. SETTING & PARTICIPANTS 1,010 patients enrolled in the CureGN Cohort with biopsy-proven glomerular disease (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and immunoglobulin A nephropathy). PREDICTORS The main predictor was urine plasmin(ogen) at baseline. Levels were measured by an electrochemiluminescent immunoassay developed de novo. Traditional clinical and analytical characteristics were used for adjustment. The ratio of urine plasmin(ogen)/expected plasmin(ogen) was evaluated as a predictor in a separate model. OUTCOME Progression to ESKD. ANALYTICAL APPROACH Cox regression was used to examine the association between urinary plasmin(ogen) and time to ESKD. Urinary markers were log2 transformed to approximate normal distribution and normalized to urinary creatinine (Log2uPlasminogen/cr, Log2 urinary protein/cr [UPCR]). Expected plasmin(ogen) was calculated by multiple linear regression. RESULTS Adjusted Log2uPlasminogen/cr was significantly associated with ESKD (HR per doubling Log2 uPlasminogen/cr 1.31 [95% CI, 1.22-1.40], P<0.001). Comparison of the predictive performance of the models including Log2 uPlasminogen/cr, Log2 UPCR, or both markers showed the plasmin(ogen) model superiority. The ratio of measured/expected urine plasmin(ogen) was independently associated with ESKD: HR, 0.41 (95% CI, 0.22-0.77) if ratio<0.8 and HR 2.42 (95% CI, 1.54-3.78) if ratio>1.1 (compared with ratio between 0.8 and 1.1). LIMITATIONS Single plasmin(ogen) determination does not allow for the study of changes over time. The use of a cohort of mostly white patients and the restriction to patients with 3 glomerular disorders limits the external validity of our analysis. CONCLUSIONS Urinary plasmin(ogen) and the ratio of measured/expected plasmin(ogen) are independently associated with ESKD in a cohort of patients with glomerular disease. Taken together with our previous experimental findings, urinary plasmin(ogen) could be a useful biomarker in prognostic decision making and a target for the development of novel therapies in patients with proteinuria and glomerular disease. PLAIN-LANGUAGE SUMMARY Glomerular diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients of all ages. Knowing the individual risk of progression to dialysis or transplantation would help to plan the follow-up and treatment of these patients. Our work studies the usefulness of urinary plasminogen as a marker of progression in this context, since previous studies indicate that plasminogen may be involved in the mechanisms responsible for the progression of these disorders. Our work in a sample of 1,010 patients with glomerular disease demonstrates that urinary plasminogen (as well as the ratio of measured to expected plasminogen) is associated with the risk of progression to end-stage kidney disease. Urine plasminogen exhibited good performance and, if further validated, could enable risk stratification for timely interventions in patients with proteinuria and glomerular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina de Cos
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Gohar Mosoyan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kinsuk Chauhan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Jonathan P Troost
- Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jenny S Wong
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Sean Lefferts
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Paul Morgan
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kristin Meliambro
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Marc Egerman
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Justina Ray
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Tom Parker
- Rogosin Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Daniel Levine
- Rogosin Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Surya Seshan
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Yoni Bardash
- St. Joseph's University Medical, Paterson, New Jersey
| | - Benjamin Horowitz
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
| | - Candice A Kent
- Section of Nephrology and Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Melissa M Shaw
- Section of Nephrology and Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Alan Perlman
- Rogosin Institute, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York; Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
| | - Dennis G Moledina
- Section of Nephrology and Clinical and Translational Research Accelerator, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Steven G Coca
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York
| | - Kirk N Campbell
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York.
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Xu Z, Wang Y, Feng Y, Yang M, Shi G, Xuan Z, Xu F. Characteristics of sodium and water retention in rats with nephrotic syndrome induced by puromycin aminonucleoside. BMC Nephrol 2023; 24:309. [PMID: 37880610 PMCID: PMC10599035 DOI: 10.1186/s12882-023-03367-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Nephrotic syndrome (NS) is characterized by renal sodium and water retention. The mechanisms are not fully elucidated. METHODS The NS rat model was established by single intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN). The plasma electrolyte level and urinary sodium excretion were monitored dynamically. The changes of some sodium transporters, including epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), Na+/H+ exchanger 3 (NHE3), Na+-K+-2Cl- cotransporter 2 (NKCC2) and Na+-Cl- cotransporter (NCC) in renal cortex at different time points and the level of peripheral circulation factors were detected. RESULTS The urinary sodium excretion of the model group increased significantly on the first day, then decreased compared with the control group, and there was no significant difference between the model group and the control group on the 12th day. The changes of peripheral circulation factors were not obvious. Some sodium transporters in renal cortex increased in varying degrees, while NKCC2 decreased significantly compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS The occurrence of NS edema may not be related to the angiotensin system. The decrease of urinary sodium excretion is independent of the development of albuminuria. During the 18 days of observation, it can be divided into three stages: sodium retention, sodium compensation, and simple water retention. The mechanism is related to the increased expression of α-ENaC, γ-ENaC, NHE3 and NCC in a certain period of time, the compensatory decrease of NKCC2 expression and the continuous increase of aquaporin 2 (AQP2) expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaiping Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu Road 350, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Yunlai Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu Road 350, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Institute for Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.
| | - Ye Feng
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu Road 350, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Mo Yang
- Scientific Research and Technology Center, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Gaoxiang Shi
- School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zihua Xuan
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu Road 350, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China
| | - Fan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Longzihu Road 350, Hefei, Anhui, 230012, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Hefei, Anhui, China.
- Institute for Pharmacodynamics and Safety Evaluation of Chinese Medicine, Anhui Academy of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China.
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Wang L, Liu H, Wang Y, Hong X, Huang X, Han M, Wang D, Shan W, Li P, Gu H, Liu B, Bao K. Sanqi Qushi Granule Alleviates Proteinuria and Podocyte Damage in NS Rat: A Network Pharmacology Study and in vivo Experimental Validation. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:1847-1861. [PMID: 37360573 PMCID: PMC10289100 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s403617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Nephrotic syndrome (NS) and its numerous complications remain the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Sanqi Qushi granule (SQG) is clinically effective in NS. However, its potential mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. Methods A network pharmacology approach was employed in this study. Based on oral bioavailability and drug-likeness, potential active ingredients were picked out. After acquiring overlapping targets for drug genes and disease-related genes, a component-target-disease network and protein-protein interaction analysis (PPI) were constructed using Cytoscape, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Adriamycin was injected into adult male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats via the tail vein to establish NS model. Kidney histology, 24-hr urinary protein level, creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C) level were assessed. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and TUNEL staining were applied. Results In total, 144 latent targets in SQG acting on NS were screened by a network pharmacology study, containing AKT, Bax, and Bcl-2. KEGG enrichment analysis suggested that PI3K/AKT pathway was enriched primarily. In vivo validation results revealed that SQG intervention ameliorated urine protein level and podocyte lesions in the NS model. Moreover, SQG therapy significantly inhibited renal cells apoptosis and decreased the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 protein expression. Moreover, we found that Caspase-3 regulated the PI3K/AKT pathway in NS rats, which mediated the anti-apoptosis effect. Conclusion By combining network pharmacology with experimental verification in vivo, this work confirmed the treatment efficacy of SQG for NS. SQG protected podocyte from injury and inhibited kidney apoptosis in NS rats via the PI3K/AKT pathway at least partially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Wang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Huoliang Liu
- The Affiliated TCM Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Wang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - XiaoFan Hong
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyan Huang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Miaoru Han
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Dan Wang
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wenjun Shan
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ping Li
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Haowen Gu
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Chirality Research on Active Components of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kun Bao
- Second Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- State Key Laboratory of Dampness Syndrome of Chinese Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Joint Laboratory on Chinese Medicine and Immune Disease Research, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Treatment of Refractory Chronic Disease, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Chinese Medicine), Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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Persson PB, Hillmeister P, Persson AB. Translation: Bench to bedside-And back. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2023; 238:e13965. [PMID: 36961088 DOI: 10.1111/apha.13965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Pontus B Persson
- Institute of Translational Physiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, D-10117, Germany
| | - Philipp Hillmeister
- Medizinische Hochschule Brandenburg Theodor Fontane, Zentrum für Innere Medizin 1, Hochschulklinik für Angiologie, Hochstraße 29, Brandenburg, Germany
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Zhao L, Han S, Chai C. Huangkui capsule alleviates doxorubicin-induced proteinuria via protecting against podocyte damage and inhibiting JAK/STAT signaling. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2023; 306:116150. [PMID: 36608778 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Huangkui capsule (HKC), a Chinese patent medicine, has been widely used in China as adjuvant therapy for chronic kidney disease (CKD). It displays superior anti-proteinuria efficacy than losartan in patients with CKD at stages 1-2, however, the mechanism of HKC alleviating proteinuria has not been well elucidated. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aims to confirm the therapeutic effect and investigate associated underlying mechanism of HKC against proteinuria by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MATERIALS AND METHODS We established a doxorubicin (DOX) induced proteinuria mouse model to evaluate kidney function by biochemical markers measurement and to observe histopathological alterations by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Masson's trichrome and Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)-stained sections of renal, respectively. Moreover, the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blotting analysis to investigate podocyte damage. Furthermore, we established Mouse Podocyte Clone-5 (MPC-5) injury model to identify the active components of HKC against podocyte damage by detecting the expressions of Nephrin, Podocin, and ZO-1 proteins. At last, the key protein levels of Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway were assessed by western blotting analysis to explore the underlying mechanism of HKC against proteinuria. RESULTS Our results showed that HKC administration for three consecutive weeks dose-dependently ameliorated both renal function and histopathological damages, elevated the expressions of Nephrin and Podocin, the pivotal molecules maintaining filtration function of the podocyte, indicating the promising protective effect against podocyte injury under DOX exposure. Consistently, in vitro experiments showed HKC administration effectively reversed the abnormal expressions of Nephrin and Podocin in MPC-5 cells treated with DOX, suggesting its protective effect against podocyte injury to maintain filtration barrier integrity. In addition, Hibifolin was identified as the most active ingredients in HKC, which suppressed upstream JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathway phosphorylation to maintain the structural and functional integrity of podocyte filtration barrier. Of note, AG490, a selective JAK2 inhibitor, was used to further affirm the role of Hibifolin involving in regulation JAK2/STAT3. CONCLUSIONS Our study suggested that HKC may protect podocytes via JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt pathway to display its effects of ameliorating proteinuria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Zhao
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Siyuan Han
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China
| | - Chengzhi Chai
- Jiangsu Provincial Key Laboratory for TCM Evaluation and Translational Research, School of Traditional Pharmacy, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 211198, China.
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Chen J, Yuan S, Zhou J, Huang X, Wu W, Cao Y, Liu H, Hu Q, Li X, Guan X, Yin S, Jiang J, Zhou Y, Zhou J. Danshen injection induces autophagy in podocytes to alleviate nephrotic syndrome via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 107:154477. [PMID: 36215790 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Danshen injection (DSI) is an agent extracted from the Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, a natural drug commonly used to alleviate kidney diseases. However, the material basis and therapeutic effects of DSI on nephrotic syndrome (NS) remain unclear. PURPOSE To investigate the material basis of DSI and the therapeutic effects and underlying mechanisms of NS. METHODS NS models were established using adriamycin-induced BALB/c mice and lipopolysaccharide-induced mouse podocytes (MPC-5). Following DSI and prednisone administration, kidney coefficients, 24 h urine protein, blood urea nitrogen, and serum creatinine levels were tested. Histomorphology was observed by periodic acid-Schiff staining and hematoxylin and eosin staining of the kidney sections. The glomerular basement membrane and autophagosomes of the kidneys were observed using transmission electron microscopy. Nephrin and desmin levels in the glomeruli were tested using immunohistochemistry. The viability of MPC-5 cells was tested using cell counting kit-8 after chloroquine and rapamycin administration in combination with DSI. The in vivo and in vitro protein levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), AKT, phosphorylated AKT (Ser473), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), microtubule-associated protein light chain 3 (LC3), beclin1, cleaved caspase-3, and caspase-3 were detected using western blotting. RESULTS Our results showed that DSI contained nine main components: caffeic acid, danshensu, lithospermic acid, rosmarinic acid, salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid B, salvianolic acid C, salvianolic acid D, and 3, 4-Dihydroxybenzaldehyde. In in vivo studies, the NS mice showed renal function and pathological impairment. Podocytes were damaged, with decreased levels of autophagy and apoptosis, accompanied by inhibition of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling. DSI administration resulted in improved renal function and pathology in NS mice, with the activation of autophagy and PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in the kidneys. Additionally, podocytes were less damaged and intracellular autophagosomes were markedly increased. In vitro studies have shown that DSI activated MPC-5 autophagy and reduced apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. CONCLUSION Collectively, this study demonstrated that DSI activated podocyte autophagy and reduced apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, ultimately attenuating NS. Our study clarified the main components of DSI and elucidated its therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms for NS, providing new targets and agents for the clinical treatment of NS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqi Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Shengliang Yuan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Jie Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiuye Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjia Wu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Yiwen Cao
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Hong Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinghong Hu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Xiaojie Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Xueping Guan
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Simin Yin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiaying Jiang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China
| | - Yuan Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China.
| | - Jiuyao Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong, China.
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