Hyperoside alleviates adriamycin-induced podocyte injury via inhibiting mitochondrial fission

Understanding the podocyte immune responses in proteinuric kidney diseases: from pathogenesis to therapy

The glomerular filtration barrier, comprising the inner layer of capillary fenestrated endothelial cells, outermost podocytes, and the glomerular basement membrane between them, plays a pivotal role in kidney function. Podocytes, terminally differentiated epithelial cells, are challenging to regenerate once injured. They are essential for maintaining the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier. Damage to podocytes, resulting from intrinsic or extrinsic factors, leads to proteinuria in the early stages and eventually progresses to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Immune-mediated podocyte injury is a primary pathogenic mechanism in proteinuric glomerular diseases, including minimal change disease, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, membranous nephropathy, and lupus nephritis with podocyte involvement. An extensive body of evidence indicates that podocytes not only contribute significantly to the maintenance of the glomerular filtration barrier and serve as targets of immune responses but also exhibit immune cell-like characteristics, participating in both innate and adaptive immunity. They play a pivotal role in mediating glomerular injury and represent potential therapeutic targets for CKD. This review aims to systematically elucidate the mechanisms of podocyte immune injury in various podocyte lesions and provide an overview of recent advances in podocyte immunotherapy. It offers valuable insights for a deeper understanding of the role of podocytes in proteinuric glomerular diseases, and the identification of new therapeutic targets, and has significant implications for the future clinical diagnosis and treatment of podocyte-related disorders.

Evaluation of glomerular sirtuin-1 and claudin-1 in the pathophysiology of nondiabetic focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is the leading cause of nephrotic syndrome, which is characterized by podocyte injury. Given that the pathophysiology of nondiabetic glomerulosclerosis is poorly understood and targeted therapies to prevent glomerular disease are lacking, we decided to investigate the tight junction protein claudin-1 and the histone deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1), which are known to be involved in podocyte injury. For this purpose, we first examined SIRT1, claudin-1 and podocin expression in kidney biopsies from patients diagnosed with nondiabetic FSGS and found that upregulation of glomerular claudin-1 accompanies a significant reduction in glomerular SIRT1 and podocin levels. From this, we investigated whether a small molecule activator of SIRT1, SRT1720, could delay the onset of FSGS in an animal model of adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy; 14 days of treatment with SRT1720 attenuated glomerulosclerosis progression and albuminuria, prevented transcription factor Wilms tumor 1 (WT1) downregulation and increased glomerular claudin-1 in the ADR + SRT1720 group. Thus, we evaluated the effect of ADR and/or SRT1720 in cultured mouse podocytes. The results showed that ADR [1 µM] triggered an increase in claudin-1 expression after 30 min, and this effect was attenuated by pretreatment of podocytes with SRT1720 [5 µM]. ADR [1 µM] also led to changes in the localization of SIRT1 and claudin-1 in these cells, which could be associated with podocyte injury. Although the use of specific agonists such as SRT1720 presents some benefits in glomerular function, their underlying mechanisms still need to be further explored for therapeutic use. Taken together, our data indicate that SIRT1 and claudin-1 are relevant for the pathophysiology of nondiabetic FSGS.

Electroacupuncture alleviates multifidus muscle injury by modulating mitochondrial function and Ca2+ uptake

Multifidus muscles maintain the stability of the lumbar spine and play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of nonspecific lower back pain. Previous studies have shown that electroacupuncture (EA) can relieve the symptoms of low back pain and reduce injury to the lumbar multifidus muscles. In this study, a rat model of lumbar multifidus muscle injury was established by 0.05% bupivacaine injection and subsequently treated with EA at bilateral "Weizhong" (BL40) acupoints. Disruption of the function and structure of multifidus muscles, increased cytosolic Ca2+ in multifidus myocytes, and reduced mitochondrial fission and ATP production were observed in the model group. Additionally, increased expression of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) promoted mitochondrial reuptake of Ca2+ , reversing the excessive increase in cytoplasmic Ca2+ . However, the excessive increase in MCU not only aggravated the increased cytoplasmic Ca2+ but also decreased the expression of the mitochondrial division proteins dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitochondrial fission factor (MFF). EA inhibited the overexpression of MCU, promoted mitochondrial reuptake of Ca2+ , and reversed cytosolic Ca2+ overload. Furthermore, EA regulated the expression of the mitochondrial fission proteins Drp1 and MFF and promoted the production of ATP, helping the recovery of mitochondrial function after multifidus injury. Therefore, EA can protect against bupivacaine-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, possibly by attenuating MCU overexpression in the inner mitochondrial membrane and reducing Ca2+ overloading in muscle cells, thereby protecting mitochondrial function and maintaining the normal energy demand of muscle cells.

Hyperoside ameliorates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by regulating the expression and function of Oat1

Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic agent to treat solid tumours in clinics. However, cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) limits its clinical application. This study investigated the effect of hyperoside (a flavonol glycoside compound) on regulating AKI.The model of cisplatin-induced AKI was established, and hyperoside was preadministered to investigate its effect on improving kidney injury.Hyperoside ameliorated renal pathological damage, reduced the accumulation of SCr, BUN, Kim-1 and indoxyl sulphate in vivo, increased the excretion of indoxyl sulphate into the urine, and upregulated the expression of renal organic anion transporter 1 (Oat1). Moreover, evaluation of rat kidney slices demonstrated that hyperoside promoted the uptake of PAH (p-aminohippurate, the Oat1 substrate), which was confirmed by transient over-expression of OAT1 in HEK-293T cells. Additionally, hyperoside upregulated the mRNA expression of Oat1 upstream regulators hepatocyte nuclear factor-1α (HNF-1α) and pregnane X receptor (PXR).These findings indicated hyperoside could protect against cisplatin-induced AKI by promoting indoxyl sulphate excretion through regulating the expression and function of Oat1, suggesting hyperoside may offer a potential tactic for cisplatin-induced AKI treatment.

Advances in the pharmacological study of Chinese herbal medicine to alleviate diabetic nephropathy by improving mitochondrial oxidative stress

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the serious complications of diabetes mellitus, primarily arising from type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and can progress to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end stage renal disease (ESRD). The pathogenesis of DN involves various factors such as hemodynamic changes, oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism disorders. Increasing attention is being given to DN caused by oxidative stress in the mitochondrial pathway, prompting researchers to explore drugs that can regulate these target pathways. Chinese herbal medicine, known for its accessibility, rich historical usage, and remarkable efficacy, has shown promise in ameliorating renal injury caused by DN by modulating oxidative stress in the mitochondrial pathway. This review aims to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of DN. Firstly, we outline the mechanisms by which mitochondrial dysfunction impairs DN, focusing on outlining the damage to mitochondria by oxidative stress. Subsequently, we describe the process by which formulas, herbs and monomeric compounds protect the kidney by ameliorating oxidative stress in the mitochondrial pathway. Finally, the rich variety of Chinese herbal medicine, combined with modern extraction techniques, has great potential, and as we gradually understand the pathogenesis of DN and research techniques are constantly updated, there will be more and more promising therapeutic targets and herbal drug candidates. This paper aims to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of DN.

Therapeutic Potential Targeting Podocyte Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis

Background

Podocytes are essential components of the glomerular filtration barrier and essential for the proper filtration function of the glomerulus. Podocyte injury under various stress conditions is the primary pathogenesis and key determinant of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) with prominent clinical manifestations of proteinuria or nephrotic syndrome.

Summary

Under physiological conditions, a highly coordinated mitochondrial quality control system, including antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial dynamics (fusion, fission, and mitophagy), and mitochondrial biogenesis, guarantees the sophisticated structure and various functions of podocytes. However, under FSGS pathological conditions, mitochondria encounter oxidative stress, dynamics disturbances, and defective mitochondrial biogenesis. Moreover, mutations in mitochondrial DNA and mitochondria-related genes are also strongly associated with FSGS. Based on these pieces of evidence, bioactive agents that function to relieve mitochondrial oxidative stress and promote mitochondrial biogenesis have been proven effective in preclinical FSGS models. Targeting the mitochondrial network is expected to provide new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of FSGS and delay its progression to end-stage renal disease.

Key Messages

Mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in podocyte injury and FSGS progression. This review summarized recent advances in the study of mitochondrial homeostatic imbalance and dysfunction in FSGS and discussed the potential of mitochondria-targeted therapeutics in improving FSGS and retarding its progression to end-stage renal disease.

Hyperoside alleviates doxorubicin-induced myocardial cells apoptosis by inhibiting the apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1/p38 pathway

Background

Cardiotoxicity is a side effect of the anthracycline broad-spectrum anti-tumor agent, doxorubicin (DOX). Hyperoside, a flavonoid glycoside extracted from many herbs, has anti-apoptotic and anticancer properties. However, its impact on the alleviation of DOX-induced apoptosis in cardiomyocytes remains elusive.

Methods

The HL-1 cell line was treated with 100 µ M hyperoside for 1 h prior to treatment with 100 µ M hyperoside and 1 µ M DOX for 24 h. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect cell viability; DCFH-DA fluorescent probe was used to detect (reactive oxygen species) ROS; biochemical methods were used to detect the activity of glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA); the degree of apoptosis following DOX insult was assessed using immunofluorescence staining and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated deoxy uridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay; the change in protein expression of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1), p38, and apoptosis markers was determined using western blot.

Results

Hyperoside ameliorated DOX-induced oxidative stress in HL-1 cells, up-regulated GSH, SOD and CAT activity, reduced ROS production and inhibited MDA overproduction. Moreover, in addition to promoting HL-1 cell apoptosis, DOX administration also increased B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2-associated X-protein and cleaved caspase-3 protein levels and decreased Bcl-2 protein level. Hyperoside therapy, however, significantly reversed the impact of DOX on the cardiomyocytes. Mechanically, DOX treatment increased the phosphorylation of the ASK1/p38 axis whereas hyperoside treatment attenuated those changes. In a further step, hyperoside synergizes with DOX to kill MDA-MB-231 cells.

Conclusions

Hyperoside protects HL-1 cells from DOX-induced cardiotoxicity by inhibiting the ASK1/p38 signaling pathway. Meanwhile, hyperoside maintained the cytotoxicity of DOX in MDA-MB-231 cells.

Natural products for kidney disease treatment: Focus on targeting mitochondrial dysfunction

The patients with kidney diseases are increasing rapidly all over the world. With the rich abundance of mitochondria, kidney is an organ with a high consumption of energy. Hence, renal failure is highly correlated with the breakup of mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the potential drugs targeting mitochondrial dysfunction are still in mystery. The natural products have the superiorities to explore the potential drugs regulating energy metabolism. However, their roles in targeting mitochondrial dysfunction in kidney diseases have not been extensively reviewed. Herein, we reviewed a series of natural products targeting mitochondrial oxidative stress, mitochondrial biogenesis, mitophagy, and mitochondrial dynamics. We found lots of them with great medicinal values in kidney disease. Our review provides a wide prospect for seeking the effective drugs targeting kidney diseases.

Qian Yang Yu Yin granule improves hypertensive renal damage: A potential role for TRPC6-CaMKKβ-AMPK-mTOR-mediated autophagy

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Qian Yang Yu Yin granules (QYYYG) have a long history in the treatment of hypertensive renal damage (HRD) in China. Clinical studies have found that QYYYG stabilizes blood pressure and prevents early renal damage. However, the exact mechanism is not entirely clear.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the therapeutic effect and further explore the therapeutic mechanism of QYYYG against HRD.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The efficacy of QYYYG in treating HRD was assessed in spontaneous hypertension rats (SHR). Renal autophagy and the TRPC6-CaMKKβ-AMPK pathway in rats were evaluated. The regulatory role of QYYYG in angiotensin II (Ang II) induced abnormal autophagy in rat podocytes was determined by detecting autophagy-related proteins, intracellular Ca²⁺ content, and the TRPC6-CaMKKβ-AMPK-mTOR pathway expressions. Finally, we established a stable rat podocyte cell line overexpressing TRPC6 and used the cells to verify the regulatory effects of QYYYG.

RESULTS

QYYYG alleviated HRD and reversed the abnormal expression of autophagy-related genes in the SHR. In vitro, QYYYG protected against Ang II-induced podocyte damage. Furthermore, treatment of podocytes with QYYYG reversed Ang II-induced autophagy and inhibited Ang II-stimulated TRPC6 activation, Ca²⁺ influx and activation CaMKKβ-AMPK pathway. Overexpression of TRPC6 resulted in pronounced activation of CaMKKβ, AMPK, and autophagy induction in rat podocytes, which were significantly attenuated by QYYYG.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study suggested that QYYYG may exert its HRD protective effects in part by regulating the abnormal autophagy of podocytes through the TRPC6-CaMKKβ-AMPK-mTOR pathway.

Therapeutic potential of dietary flavonoid hyperoside against non-communicable diseases: targeting underlying properties of diseases

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a global epidemic with diverse pathogenesis. Among them, oxidative stress and inflammation are the most fundamental co-morbid features. Therefore, multi-targets and multi-pathways therapies with significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities are potential effective measures for preventing and treating NCDs. The flavonol glycoside compound hyperoside (Hyp) is widely found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, beverages, and medicinal plants and has various health benefits, especially excellent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties targeting nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. In this review, we summarize the pathogenesis associated with oxidative stress and inflammation in NCDs and the biological activity and therapeutic potential of Hyp. Our findings reveal that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities regulated by Hyp are associated with numerous biological mechanisms, including positive regulation of mitochondrial function, apoptosis, autophagy, and higher-level biological damage activities. Hyp is thought to be beneficial against organ injuries, cancer, depression, diabetes, and osteoporosis, and is a potent anti-NCDs agent. Additionally, the sources, bioavailability, pharmacy, and safety of Hyp have been established, highlighting the potential to develop Hyp into dietary supplements and nutraceuticals.

Hyperoside: A review on its sources, biological activities, and molecular mechanisms

Hyperoside is a natural flavonol glycoside in various plants, such as Crataegus pinnatifida Bge, Forsythia suspensa, and Cuscuta chinensis Lam. Medical research has found that hyperoside possesses a broad spectrum of biological activities, including anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, antidepressant, and organ protective effects. These pharmacological properties lay the foundation for its use in treating multiple diseases, such as sepsis, arthritis, colitis, diabetic nephropathy, myocardial ischemia-reperfusion, pulmonary fibrosis, and cancers. Hyperoside is obtained from the plants and chemical synthesis. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of hyperoside on its sources and biological activities to provide insights into its therapeutic potential, and to provide a basis for high-quality studies to determine the clinical efficacy of this compound.

Flavonoids in Treatment of Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive systemic disease, which changes the function and structure of the kidneys irreversibly over months or years. The final common pathological manifestation of chronic kidney disease is renal fibrosis and is characterized by glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. In recent years, numerous studies have reported the therapeutic benefits of natural products against modern diseases. Substantial attention has been focused on the biological role of polyphenols, in particular flavonoids, presenting broadly in plants and diets, referring to thousands of plant compounds with a common basic structure. Evidence-based pharmacological data have shown that flavonoids play an important role in preventing and managing CKD and renal fibrosis. These compounds can prevent renal dysfunction and improve renal function by blocking or suppressing deleterious pathways such as oxidative stress and inflammation. In this review, we summarize the function and beneficial properties of common flavonoids for the treatment of CKD and the relative risk factors of CKD.

Tissue Culture Models of AKI: From Tubule Cells to Human Kidney Organoids

AKI affects approximately 13.3 million people around the world each year, causing CKD and/or mortality. The mammalian kidney cannot generate new nephrons after postnatal renal damage and regenerative therapies for AKI are not available. Human kidney tissue culture systems can complement animal models of AKI and/or address some of their limitations. Donor-derived somatic cells, such as renal tubule epithelial cells or cell lines (RPTEC/hTERT, ciPTEC, HK-2, Nki-2, and CIHP-1), have been used for decades to permit drug toxicity screening and studies into potential AKI mechanisms. However, tubule cell lines do not fully recapitulate tubular epithelial cell properties in situ when grown under classic tissue culture conditions. Improving tissue culture models of AKI would increase our understanding of the mechanisms, leading to new therapeutics. Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be differentiated into kidney organoids and various renal cell types. Injury to human kidney organoids results in renal cell-type crosstalk and upregulation of kidney injury biomarkers that are difficult to induce in primary tubule cell cultures. However, current protocols produce kidney organoids that are not mature and contain off-target cell types. Promising bioengineering techniques, such as bioprinting and "kidney-on-a-chip" methods, as applied to kidney nephrotoxicity modeling advantages and limitations are discussed. This review explores the mechanisms and detection of AKI in tissue culture, with an emphasis on bioengineered approaches such as human kidney organoid models.

Recent Advances in Traditional Chinese Medicine for Treatment of Podocyte Injury

Podocyte is also called glomerular epithelial cell, which has been considered as the final gatekeeper of glomerular filtration barrier (GFB). As a major contributor to proteinuria, podocyte injury underlies a variety of glomerular diseases and becomes the challenge to patients and their families in general. At present, the therapeutic methods of podocyte injury mainly include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers, steroid and immunosuppressive medications. Nevertheless, the higher cost and side effects seriously disturb patients with podocyte injury. Promisingly, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has received an increasing amount of attention from different countries in the treatment of podocyte injury by invigorating spleen and kidney, clearing heat and eliminating dampness, as well enriching qi and activating blood. Therefore, we searched articles published in peer-reviewed English-language journals through Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science, and Science Direct. The protective effects of active ingredients, herbs, compound prescriptions, acupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of podocyte injury were further summarized and analyzed. Meanwhile, we discussed feasible directions for future development, and analyzed existing deficiencies and shortcomings of TCM in the treatment of podocyte injury. In conclusion, this paper shows that TCM treatments can serve as promising auxiliary therapeutic methods for the treatment of podocyte injury.

The RNA binding protein hnRNPK protects against adriamycin-induced podocyte injury

Background

Podocytes maintain the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier and serve as the final barrier to protein loss. Podocyte injury may induce severe apoptosis, which can result in serious kidney damage and disease. Therefore, it is necessary to explore how podocyte injury can be prevented and to thereby discover a feasible therapy for kidney disease. However, the mechanism of podocyte injury is still unclear.

Methods

The mRNA and protein expression levels of synaptopodin and nephrin in MPC5 podocytes with adriamycin (ADR)-induced injury were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and western blot. The expression levels of heterogeneous nucleotide protein K (hnRNPK), caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 protein in cells and tissues were measured using western blot. Proliferation were measured in treated MPC5 podocytes by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, EdU assay, and apoptosis was measured by Hoechst 32258 staining. Mitochondrial membrane potential disruption, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation were measured using JC-1 staining, an LDH reagent kit, and a ROS detection kit. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to observe histological changes in mouse tissues.

Results

Synaptopodin and nephrin were downregulated in ADR-treated podocytes. Overexpression of hnRNPK ameliorated the inhibitive effect of ADR treatment on podocyte proliferation and reduced its promotion of podocyte apoptosis. LDH leakage and ROS generation were increased in ADR-treated podocytes, but were reduced by hnRNPK treatment.

Conclusions

ADR-induced podocyte injury is ameliorated by hnRNPK both in vivo and in vitro. This observation provides a basis for a feasible therapy to prevent podocyte injury and subsequent kidney disease.

Mitochondrial Targeting of Herbal Medicine in Chronic Kidney Disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a common progressive disease that is typically characterized by the permanent loss of nephrons and an eventual decline in glomerular filtration rate. CKD increases mortality and has a significant impact on the quality of life and the economy, which is becoming a major public health issue worldwide. Since current conventional-medicine treatment options for CKD are not satisfactory, many patients seek complementary and alternative medicine treatments including Traditional Chinese Medicine. Herbal medicine is often used to relieve symptoms of renal diseases in the clinic. The kidney is abundant in the number of mitochondria, which provide enough energy for renal function and metabolism. In recent years, a vital role for mitochondrial dysfunction has been suggested in CKD. Mitochondria have become a new target for the treatment of diseases. A growing number of studies have demonstrated herbal medicine could restore mitochondrial function and alleviate renal injury both in vivo and in vitro. In this review, we sum up the therapeutic effect of herbal medicine in CKD via targeting mitochondrial function. This implies future strategies in preventing CKD.

Hypericum perforatum L. Regulates Glutathione Redox Stress and Normalizes Ggt1/Anpep Signaling to Alleviate OVX-Induced Kidney Dysfunction

Menopause and associated renal complications are linked to systemic redox stress, and the causal factors remain unclear. As the role of Hypericum perforatum L. (HPL) in menopause-induced kidney disease therapy is still ambiguous, we aim to explore the effects of HPL on systemic redox stress under ovariectomy (OVX)-induced kidney dysfunction conditions. Here, using combined proteomic and metabolomic approaches, we constructed a multi-scaled “HPL-disease-gene-metabolite” network to generate a therapeutic “big picture” that indicated an important link between glutathione redox stress and kidney impairment. HPL exhibited the potential to maintain cellular redox homeostasis by inhibiting gamma-glutamyltransferase 1 (Ggt1) overexpression, along with promoting the efflux of accumulated toxic amino acids and their metabolites. Moreover, HPL restored alanyl-aminopeptidase (Anpep) expression and metabolite shifts, promoting antioxidative metabolite processing, and recovery. These findings provide a comprehensive description of OVX-induced glutathione redox stress at multiple levels and support HPL therapy as an effective modulator in renal tissues to locally influence the glutathione metabolism pathway and subsequent redox homeostasis.

MicroRNA-874-3p Aggravates Doxorubicin-Induced Renal Podocyte Injury via Targeting Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase B3

Clinical application of doxorubicin (Dox) is limited due to its serious side effects including nephrotoxicity, and kidney podocytes play important roles in renal diseases. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical regulators associated with human diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore a novel target in adjusting Dox-induced renal podocyte injury. Through a double luciferase reporter gene experiment, it was found that miR-874-3p directly targeted methionine sulfoxide reductase B3 (MsrB3). During the tests of miR-874-3p inhibitor and MsrB3 siRNA in human podocytes or miR-874-3p antagomir in mice, we found that the expression levels of downstream oxidative stress and apoptosis-related proteins were regulated by miR-874-3p/MsrB3 signal to alleviate or aggravate renal podocyte injury. The data in the present work showed that miR-874-3p aggravated Dox-caused renal podocyte injury by promoting apoptosis and oxidative damage via inhibiting MsrB3. Therefore, miR-874-3p/MsrB3 should be considered as a new therapeutic target in controlling renal podocyte injury induced by Dox.

Protective effect of hyperoside against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury via modulating mitochondrial fission, oxidative stress, and apoptosis

Ischemia/reperfusion (IR) is a common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI). However, effective therapies for IR-induced AKI are lacking. Hyperoside is an active constituent in the flowers of Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic, which is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for the treatment of various ischemic brain and heart diseases. Our previous study demonstrated that hyperoside inhibited adriamycin induced podocyte injury both in vivo and in vitro. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of hyperoside in IR-induced AKI. In mice, pretreatment of hyperoside could markedly attenuate IR-induced AKI, tubular cell apoptosis, and oxidative stress in the kidneys. Meanwhile, we found hyperoside inhibited IR-induced mitochondrial fission by suppressing OMA1 mediated proteolysis of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1). Consistently, in human proximal tubular epithelial cells, hyperoside might inhibit CoCl₂-induced mitochondrial fission, oxidative stress, and apoptosis by regulating OMA1-OPA1 axis. Taken together, our results support the idea that OMA1-OPA1 mediated mitochondrial fission can be used for the prevention of AKI. Hyperoside might have novel therapeutic potential in the treatment of AKI.

Leonurine ameliorates adriamycin-induced podocyte injury via suppression of oxidative stress

Leonurine, a major bioactive component from Herba Leonuri, shows therapeutic potential in several diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, bovine mastitis and depression. In kidney, it was reported that leonurine was performing a protective effect in both acute kidney injury and renal fibrosis mice models. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of leonurine in podocyte injury. In the mice model of adriamycin (ADR) -induced nephropathy, the application of leonurine significantly prevented early kidney damage, macrophage infiltration and proteinuria. Meanwhile, leonurine suppressed ADR-induced podocyte injury and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Consistent to in vivo results, leonurine prevented ADR-induced podocyte injury and ROS production in cultured human podocytes. All these results suggested that leonurine might suppress ADR-induced podocyte injury via inhibiting oxidative stress. Leonurine might be a novel therapeutic drug for prevention of glomerular diseases.