Urinary Cytochrome C and Caspase-3 as Novel Biomarker of Renal Function Impairment in Unilateral Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction Model of Wistar Rats

Can urinary caspase-3 and cytochrome c levels be used as predictive biomarkers in the management of unilateral antenatal hydronephrosis?

PURPOSE

We aimed to investigate the urinary caspase-3 and cytochrome c levels in patients with unilateral antenatal hydronephrosis and to determine whether changes in urinary biomarker levels could be useful for both predicting the need for surgical intervention due to ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) and postoperative surgical success.

METHODS

Sixty-five children with a history of unilateral antenatal hydronephrosis and postnatal anteroposterior diameter ≥ 10 mm were included in this prospective case-control study between January 2013 and December 2021. The obstruction group consisted of 33 patients (28 boys, 84.8%) who underwent open dismembered pyeloplasty due to UPJO. The non-obstructive dilatation (NOD) group consisted of 32 patients (27 boys, 84.4%) with stable or improving hydronephrosis and no significant reduction in ipsilateral split renal function during follow-up, whereas 34 healthy children were enrolled in the study as a control group. Urinary urinary caspase-3 and cytochrome c levels using ELISA were measured.

RESULTS

The median preoperative urinary caspase-3 level was significantly higher in the obstruction group when compared to the NOD group (4.82 ng/mgCr vs. 2.61 ng/mgCr, p = 0.013) as well as the control group (4.82 ng/mgCr vs. 1.72 ng/mgCr, p = 0.002). In the postoperative period, urinary caspase-3 levels significantly decreased compared to preoperative measurements (4.82 ng/mgCr vs. 2.51 ng/mgCr, p = 0.006) and became similar to the control group (2.51 ng/mgCr vs. 1.72 ng/mgCr, p = 0.422). On the other hand, no significant differences were observed in urinary cytochrome c levels between the groups. All patients who underwent pyeloplasty achieved postoperative resolution in hydronephrosis and improved drainage on MAG-3, so none of the patients required re-do pyeloplasty. Postoperative decrease in caspase-3 level was found to be compatible with adequate urine drainage on MAG-3 scan. The cut-off value of urinary caspase-3 to predict patients requiring pyeloplasty was found to be 3.31 ng/mg creatinine with 63.6% sensitivity, 62.5% specificity (AUC = 0.679). In the multivariable analysis, urinary caspase-3 level (OR: 1.653, p = 0.019), anteroposterior pelvic diameter (OR: 1.401, p = 0.001), and split renal function on MAG-3 (OR: 1.277, p = 0.011) were found to be independent factors in determining patients who require surgery.

CONCLUSION

Based on our preliminary findings, urinary caspase-3 levels could be a useful biomarker not only for predicting the need for surgical intervention but also for determining the postoperative surgical success in children with UPJO.

The Effect of Tamsulosin, Dutasteride Monotherapy and Tamsulosin-Dutasteride Combination on Prostate Smooth Muscle Contractility in BPH Model Wistar Strain Rattus Novergicus

Background

Following the c In the management of BPH, Tamsulosin is an example of a-adrenergic receptor blocker drug that is usually used. In addition, dutasteride is also a BPH drug that works as a group of 5 a reductase inhibitor. However, the weakness of long-term administration of a1-adrenergic receptor antagonists can result in upregulation of prostate smooth muscle cell contractility and expression of a-adrenergic mRNA receptors, resulting in hyperactivity and supersensitivity to a-agonists.

Objective

Our study aimed to determine the effect of long-term administration of tamsulosin, dutasteride and tamsulosin-dutasteride combination on the contractility of prostate smooth muscle cells in BPH model rats.

Methods

This study was designed using an experimental post test only method, control group design. It measured the contractility of prostate smooth muscle cells from samples obtained from the prostatic stroma of experimental animals adult male Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain induced BPH and administered tamsulosin 1 mg/kg/day, dutasteride 0.5 mg/kg/day, and a combination of continuous administration for 1, 6 and 12 consecutive days. Data were analyzed using one way ANOVA if the data distribution was normal or Kruskall Walis if the data distribution was abnormal.

Result

The effect of tamsulosin, dutasteride and the combination of tamsulosin with dutasteride on prostate smooth muscle cell contractility in experimental animals Rattus norvegicus Wistar strain showed that tamsulosin administration for six days, twelve days, and the combination of tamsulosin dutasteride for one day got statistically significant different result (p=0.016; p=0.006; p=0.029) compared to the negative control group. In addition, there was a difference between the tamsulosin and dutasteride combination group for 12 days compared to tamsulosin monotherapy for 6 days and 12 days (p=0.160; p=0.010).

Conclusion

Continuous administration of monotherapy tamsulosin has an upregulation effect on the sixth to twelfth day. Decreased contractility of prostate smooth muscle cells occurs on the first day but will increase on the sixth to twelfth day. On the other hand, the results of our study also showed that the combination of tamsulosin and dutasteride gave the effect of reducing contractility and was most effective on day 12.

Genistein administration increases the level of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the endometriosis mice model: An experimental study

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis and infertility are caused by reactive oxygen species or free radicals, which promote endometrial cell growth and adhesion in the peritoneal cavity. Genistein has been proven to protect cells against reactive oxygen species by scavenging free radicals and decreasing the expression of genes-associated stress responses.

OBJECTIVE

This study was conducted to determine whether genistein also acts as an antioxidant by elevating superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the peritoneal fluid of the endometriosis mice model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This experimental study involved 32 healthy female mice (Mus musculus), aged between 2-3 months and weighing 20-30 gr. They were divided into negative control group (healthy mice without genistein), endometriosis group (endometriosis mice without genistein), treatment group that was given different doses of genistein, that is, 0.13; 0.26; 0.52; 0.78; 1.04; and 1.3 mg/day (n = 4/each). SOD level in the peritoneal fluid was measured using the quantitative colorimetric determination method, and a colorimetric assay measured the GPx levels.

RESULTS

Results showed that the endometriosis model has lower SOD and GPx levels than the control group. The administration of genistein significantly normalized these changes. Genistein significantly increased SOD levels in the 0.13 mg and 0.26 mg treatment groups. Genistein also increased GPx levels significantly in all treatment groups.

CONCLUSION

Genistein increases SOD and GPx levels in the peritoneal fluid of an endometriosis mice model, and the change is dose-dependent.

Screening for polystyrene nanoparticle toxicity on kidneys of adult male albino rats using histopathological, biochemical, and molecular examination results

Polystyrene Nanoparticles (PS-NPs) used for packaging foam, disposable cups, and food containers. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate PS- NPs toxic effects on kidney of adult male albino rats. A total of 30 rats divided into three groups (n = 10): group I negative control group; group II orally administered 3% PS-NPs (3 mg/kg body weight/day) and group III orally administered 3% PS-NPs (10 mg/kg body weight/day) for 35 days. Blood and kidney samples collected and processed for biochemical, histopathological, and immunohistochemical examinations. Results showed that low and high doses PS-NPs had significantly increased serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, malondialdehyde, significantly further reduced glutathione, downregulation of nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 and glutathione peroxidase, upregulation of caspase-3 and Cytochrome-c. Histopathological examination revealed several alterations. Low dose of PS-NPs exhibited dilated glomerular capillaries, hypotrophy of some renal corpuscles significantly decreases their diameter to 62 μm. Some proximal convoluted tubules and distal convoluted tubules showed loss of cellular architecture with pyknotic nuclei. Hyalinization and vacuolation in renal medulla. In high dose PS-NPs, alterations increased in severity. A significant increase in percentage area of cyclooxygenase-2 in low and high-doses. In conclusion, PS-NPs are a nephrotoxic causing renal dysfunction.