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Kraehling JR, Benardeau A, Schomber T, Popp L, Vienenkoetter J, Ellinger-Ziegelbauer H, Pavkovic M, Hartmann E, Siudak K, Freyberger A, Hagelschuer I, Mathar I, Hueser J, Hahn MG, Geiss V, Eitner F, Sandner P. The sGC Activator Runcaciguat Has Kidney Protective Effects and Prevents a Decline of Kidney Function in ZSF1 Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13226. [PMID: 37686032 PMCID: PMC10488129 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713226] [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: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is associated with persisting oxidative stress, which impairs the NO-sGC-cGMP signaling cascade through the formation of oxidized and heme-free apo-sGC that cannot be activated by NO. Runcaciguat (BAY 1101042) is a novel, potent, and selective sGC activator that binds and activates oxidized and heme-free sGC and thereby restores NO-sGC-cGMP signaling under oxidative stress. Therefore, runcaciguat might represent a very effective treatment option for CKD/DKD. The potential kidney-protective effects of runcaciguat were investigated in ZSF1 rats as a model of CKD/DKD, characterized by hypertension, hyperglycemia, obesity, and insulin resistance. ZSF1 rats were treated daily orally for up to 12 weeks with runcaciguat (1, 3, 10 mg/kg/bid) or placebo. The study endpoints were proteinuria, kidney histopathology, plasma, urinary biomarkers of kidney damage, and gene expression profiling to gain information about relevant pathways affected by runcaciguat. Furthermore, oxidative stress was compared in the ZSF1 rat kidney with kidney samples from DKD patients. Within the duration of the 12-week treatment study, kidney function was significantly decreased in obese ZSF1 rats, indicated by a 20-fold increase in proteinuria, compared to lean ZSF1 rats. Runcaciguat dose-dependently and significantly attenuated the development of proteinuria in ZSF1 rats with reduced uPCR at the end of the study by -19%, -54%, and -70% at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/bid, respectively, compared to placebo treatment. Additionally, average blood glucose levels measured as HbA1C, triglycerides, and cholesterol were increased by five times, twenty times, and four times, respectively, in obese ZSF1 compared to lean rats. In obese ZSF1 rats, runcaciguat reduced HbA1c levels by -8%, -34%, and -76%, triglycerides by -42%, -55%, and -71%, and cholesterol by -16%, -17%, and -34%, at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg/bid, respectively, compared to placebo. Concomitantly, runcaciguat also reduced kidney weights, morphological kidney damage, and urinary and plasma biomarkers of kidney damage. Beneficial effects were accompanied by changes in gene expression that indicate reduced fibrosis and inflammation and suggest improved endothelial stabilization. In summary, the sGC activator runcaciguat significantly prevented a decline in kidney function in a DKD rat model that mimics common comorbidities and conditions of oxidative stress of CKD patients. Thus, runcaciguat represents a promising treatment option for CKD patients, which is in line with recent phase 2 clinical study data, where runcaciguat showed promising efficacy in CKD patients (NCT04507061).
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan R. Kraehling
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Agnes Benardeau
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Novo Nordisk A/S, Global Drug Discovery, T1D-Kidney Disease, 2760 Måløv, Denmark
| | - Tibor Schomber
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Vincerx Pharma GmbH, 40789 Monheim, Germany
| | - Laura Popp
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Julia Vienenkoetter
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | | | - Mira Pavkovic
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Elke Hartmann
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Krystyna Siudak
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Alexius Freyberger
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ina Hagelschuer
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Ilka Mathar
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Joerg Hueser
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Michael G. Hahn
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Volker Geiss
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Frank Eitner
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Division of Nephrology and Clinical Immunology, RWTH Aachen University, 52062 Aachen, Germany
| | - Peter Sandner
- Bayer AG, Research and Early Development, Pharma Research Center, 42096 Wuppertal, Germany
- Department of Pharmacology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany
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Activation of Cx43 Hemichannels Induces the Generation of Ca 2+ Oscillations in White Adipocytes and Stimulates Lipolysis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22158095. [PMID: 34360859 PMCID: PMC8347185 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22158095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the mechanisms of Ca2+ oscillation generation upon activation of connexin-43 and regulation of the lipolysis/lipogenesis balance in white adipocytes through vesicular ATP release. With fluorescence microscopy it was revealed that a decrease in the concentration of extracellular calcium ([Ca2+]ex) results in two types of Ca2+ responses in white adipocytes: Ca2+ oscillations and transient Ca2+ signals. It was found that activation of the connexin half-channels is involved in the generation of Ca2+ oscillations, since the blockers of the connexin hemichannels-carbenoxolone, octanol, proadifen and Gap26-as well as Cx43 gene knockdown led to complete suppression of these signals. The activation of Cx43 in response to the reduction of [Ca2+]ex was confirmed by TIRF microscopy. It was shown that in response to the activation of Cx43, ATP-containing vesicles were released from the adipocytes. This process was suppressed by knockdown of the Cx43 gene and by bafilomycin A1, an inhibitor of vacuolar ATPase. At the level of intracellular signaling, the generation of Ca2+ oscillations in white adipocytes in response to a decrease in [Ca2+]ex occurred due to the mobilization of the Ca2+ ions from the thapsigargin-sensitive Ca2+ pool of IP3R as a result of activation of the purinergic P2Y1 receptors and phosphoinositide signaling pathway. After activation of Cx43 and generation of the Ca2+ oscillations, changes in the expression levels of key genes and their encoding proteins involved in the regulation of lipolysis were observed in white adipocytes. This effect was accompanied by a decrease in the number of adipocytes containing lipid droplets, while inhibition or knockdown of Cx43 led to inhibition of lipolysis and accumulation of lipid droplets. In this study, we investigated the mechanism of Ca2+ oscillation generation in white adipocytes in response to a decrease in the concentration of Ca2+ ions in the external environment and established an interplay between periodic Ca2+ modes and the regulation of the lipolysis/lipogenesis balance.
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Francis M, Li C, Sun Y, Zhou J, Li X, Brenna JT, Ye K. Genome-wide association study of fish oil supplementation on lipid traits in 81,246 individuals reveals new gene-diet interaction loci. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009431. [PMID: 33760818 PMCID: PMC8021161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Fish oil supplementation is widely used for reducing serum triglycerides (TAGs) but has mixed effects on other circulating cardiovascular biomarkers. Many genetic polymorphisms have been associated with blood lipids, including high- and low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, LDL-C), total cholesterol, and TAGs. Here, the gene-diet interaction effects of fish oil supplementation on these lipids were analyzed in a discovery cohort of up to 73,962 UK Biobank participants, using a 1-degree-of-freedom (1df) test for interaction effects and a 2-degrees-of-freedom (2df) test to jointly analyze interaction and main effects. Associations with P < 1×10-6 in either test (26,157; 18,300 unique variants) were advanced to replication in up to 7,284 participants from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. Replicated associations reaching 1df P < 0.05 (2,175; 1,763 unique variants) were used in meta-analyses. We found 13 replicated and 159 non-replicated (UK Biobank only) loci with significant 2df joint tests that were predominantly driven by main effects and have been previously reported. Four novel interaction loci were identified with 1df P < 5×10-8 in meta-analysis. The lead variant in the GJB6-GJB2-GJA3 gene cluster, rs112803755 (A>G; minor allele frequency = 0.041), shows exclusively interaction effects. The minor allele is significantly associated with decreased TAGs in individuals with fish oil supplementation, but with increased TAGs in those without supplementation. This locus is significantly associated with higher GJB2 expression of connexin 26 in adipose tissue; connexin activity is known to change upon exposure to omega-3 fatty acids. Significant interaction effects were also found in three other loci in the genes SLC12A3 (HDL-C), ABCA6 (LDL-C), and MLXIPL (LDL-C), but highly significant main effects are also present. Our study identifies novel gene-diet interaction effects for four genetic loci, whose effects on blood lipids are modified by fish oil supplementation. These findings highlight the need and possibility for personalized nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Francis
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Changwei Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - Yitang Sun
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jingqi Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, United States of America
| | - J. Thomas Brenna
- Division of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Dell Pediatric Research Institute, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
- Departments of Nutrition and Chemistry, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, United States of America
| | - Kaixiong Ye
- Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Frimmel K, Sotníková R, Navarová J, Bernátová I, KriŽák J, Haviarová Z, Kura B, Slezák J, Okruhlicová Ľ. Omega-3 fatty acids reduce lipopolysaccharide-induced abnormalities in expression of connexin-40 in aorta of hereditary hypertriglyceridemic rats. Physiol Res 2016; 65 Suppl 1:S65-76. [PMID: 27643941 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Omega-3 fatty acids (omega3FA) are known to reduce hypertriglyceridemia- and inflammation-induced vascular wall diseases. However, mechanisms of their effects are not completely clear. We examined, whether 10-day omega3FA diet can reduce bacterial lipopolysaccharide-induced changes in expression of gap junction protein connexin40 (Cx40) in the aorta of hereditary hypertriglyceridemic (hHTG) rats. After administration of a single dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg/kg, i.p.) to adult hHTG rats, animals were fed with omega3FA diet (30 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. LPS decreased Cx40 expression that was associated with reduced acetylcholine-induced relaxation of aorta. Omega3FA administration to LPS rats had partial anti-inflammatory effects, associated with increased Cx40 expression and improved endothelium dependent relaxation of the aorta. Our results suggest that 10-day omega3FA diet could protect endothelium-dependent relaxation of the aorta of hHTG rats against LPS-induced damage through the modulation of endothelial Cx40 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Frimmel
- Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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CHAUDAGAR KK, VICZENCZOVA C, SZEIFFOVA BACOVA B, EGAN BENOVA T, BARANCIK M, TRIBULOVA N. Modulation of Systemic and Aortic Nitric Oxide by Melatonin and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Isoproterenol Affected Spontaneously Hypertensive and Normotensive Wistar Rats. Physiol Res 2016; 65 Suppl 1:S109-18. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.933400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to explore the effects of melatonin and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation on plasma and aortic nitric oxide (NO) levels in isoproterenol (Iso) affected spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) and Wistar rats. Untreated control rats were compared with Iso injected (118 mg/kg, s.c.) rats, and Iso injected plus supplemented with melatonin (10 mg/kg, p.o.) or PUFA (1.68 g/kg, p.o.) for two months. Plasma and aortic basal, L-NAME inhibited, adrenaline and acetylcholine stimulated NO were determined using Griess method. Plasma NO levels were lower in SHR versus Wistar rats. Iso decreased NO in Wistar while not in SHR. PUFA but not melatonin intake of Iso treated SHR increased plasma NO along with a decrease in systolic blood pressure. Basal aortic NO level was higher in SHR than Wistar rats and not altered by Iso. Intake of melatonin increased but PUFA decreased basal NO levels in Wistar+Iso and did not affect in SHR+Iso rats. Acetylcholine and adrenaline induced aortic NO release was significantly increased in Wistar+Iso but not SHR+Iso group. Melatonin intake increased Ach induced aortic NO in Wistar+Iso and SHR+Iso groups, whereas there was no effect of PUFA intake. Findings suggest that PUFA modulates plasma and melatonin aortic NO levels of isoproterenol affected rats in a strain-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - N. TRIBULOVA
- Institute for Heart Research, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
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Vrbjar N, Mézešová L, Javorková V, Vlkovičová J, Mitašíková M, Dlugošová K, Okruhlicová L, Tribulová N. Gender specific influence of fish oil or atorvastatin on functional properties of renal Na,K-ATPase in healthy Wistar and hypertriglyceridemic rats. Physiol Res 2011; 60:887-97. [PMID: 21995900 DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.932153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
For better understanding of pathophysiological processes leading to increased retention of sodium as a consequence of hyperlipidemia, the properties of renal Na,K-ATPase, a key enzyme involved in maintaining sodium homeostasis in the organism, were studied. Enzyme kinetics of renal Na,K-ATPase were used for characterization of ATP- and Na(+)-binding sites after administration of fish oil (FO) (30 mg·day(-1)) or atorvastatin (0.5 mg·100 g(-1)·day(-1)) to healthy Wistar rats and rats with hereditary hypertriglyceridemia of both genders. Untreated healthy Wistar and also hypertriglyceridemic female rats revealed higher Na,K-ATPase activity as compared to respective untreated male groups. Hypertriglyceridemia itself was accompanied with higher Na,K-ATPase activity in both genders. Fish oil improved the enzyme affinity to ATP and Na(+), as indicated by lowered values of K(m) and K(Na) in Wistar female rats. In Wistar male rats FO deteriorated the enzyme in the vicinity of the Na(+)-binding site as revealed from the increased K(Na) value. In hypertriglyceridemic rats FO induced a significant effect only in females in the vicinity of the sodium binding sites resulting in improved affinity as documented by the lower value of K(Na). Atorvastatin aggravated the properties of Na,K-ATPase in both genders of Wistar rats. In hypertriglyceridemic rats protection of Na,K-ATPase was observed, but this effect was bound to females only. Both treatments protected renal Na,K-ATPase in a gender specific mode, resulting probably in improved extrusion of excessive intracellular sodium out of the cell affecting thus the retention of sodium in hHTG females only.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Vrbjar
- Institute for Heart Research, Department of Biochemistry, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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