Vorinostat protects against calcium oxalate-induced kidney injury in mice

Butyric acid inhibits oxidative stress and inflammation injury in calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis by targeting CYP2C9

This study investigates the mechanism by which butyric acid can protect against calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis. To do so, a rat model was used with 0.75% ethylene glycol administration to induce CaOx crystal formation. Histological and von Kossa staining revealed calcium deposits and renal injury, while dihydroethidium fluorescence staining was used to detect reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. Flow cytometry and TUNEL assays were used to assess apoptosis, respectively. Treatment with sodium butyrate (NaB) was found to partially reverse the oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis associated with CaOx crystallization in the kidney. In addition, in HK-2 cells, NaB reversed the decreased cell viability, increased ROS levels and apoptosis damage caused by oxalate exposure. Network pharmacology was employed to predict the target genes of butyric acid, CYP2C9. Subsequently, NaB was found to significantly reduce CYP2C9 levels in vivo and in vitro, and inhibition of CYP2C9 by Sulfaphenazole (a specific CYP2C9 inhibitor), was able to reduce ROS levels, inflammation injury, and apoptosis in oxalate-induced HK-2 cells. Collectively, these findings suggest that butyric acid may inhibit oxidative stress and reduce inflammation injury in CaOx nephrolithiasis by suppressing CYP2C9.

Vorinostat (SAHA) May Exert Its Antidepressant-Like Effects Through the Modulation of Oxidative Stress Pathways

Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA/Vorinostat), a potent inhibitor of histone deacetylases (HDACs), is known to possess antidepressant properties. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this activity are unknown. In this study, we evaluated the effect of SAHA on the expression of GluN2A, GluN2B (NMDA receptor subunits), (p-)AMPK, and ΔFos proteins which are an integral part of the signal transduction pathways in the brain and also involved in the pathophysiology of depression as well as the mechanism of antidepressant action. We also measured the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA - a product of lipid peroxidation). The study was carried out in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus (Hp), brain regions implicated in depression. Although SAHA induced changes in the expression of all the proteins and MDA concentration, the effects differed depending on the drug dose, time, and brain structure involved. SAHA reduced MDA concentration and significantly increased p-AMPK protein expression, indicating it may prevent oxidative stress. SAHA also increased the levels of HDAC3 and NMDA subunits (GluN2A and GluN2B), implying it is neuroprotective and may play a crucial role in synaptic plasticity. Moreover, ΔFosB and FosB levels were significantly elevated, suggesting that SAHA may modulate learning and memory processes. Overall, the data indicate that the Hp might play a pivotal role in the mechanism of action of SAHA, hinting at novel mechanisms it play in the antidepressant and neuroprotective effects of SAHA.

TUNEL Assay: A Powerful Tool for Kidney Injury Evaluation

Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay is a long-established assay used to detect cell death-associated DNA fragmentation (3'-OH DNA termini) by endonucleases. Because these enzymes are particularly active in the kidney, TUNEL is widely used to identify and quantify DNA fragmentation and cell death in cultured kidney cells and animal and human kidneys resulting from toxic or hypoxic injury. The early characterization of TUNEL as an apoptotic assay has led to numerous misinterpretations of the mechanisms of kidney cell injury. Nevertheless, TUNEL is becoming increasingly popular for kidney injury assessment because it can be used universally in cultured and tissue cells and for all mechanisms of cell death. Furthermore, it is sensitive, accurate, quantitative, easily linked to particular cells or tissue compartments, and can be combined with immunohistochemistry to allow reliable identification of cell types or likely mechanisms of cell death. Traditionally, TUNEL analysis has been limited to the presence or absence of a TUNEL signal. However, additional information on the mechanism of cell death can be obtained from the analysis of TUNEL patterns.

Curcumin ameliorates glyoxylate-induced calcium oxalate deposition and renal injuries in mice

BACKGROUND

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common and frequent urologic diseases worldwide. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in stone formation, including oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis and autophagy. Curcumin, the predominant active component of turmeric, has been shown to have pleiotropic biological and pharmacological properties, such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects.

PURPOSE

The current study proposed to systematically investigate the protective effects and the underlying mechanisms of curcumin in a calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis mouse model.

METHODS

The animal model was established in male C57BL/6 mice by successive intraperitoneal injection of glyoxylate (100 mg/kg) for 1 week. Curcumin was orally given to mice 7 days before the injection of glyoxylate and for a total of 14 days at 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg. Bilateral renal tissue was harvested and processed for oxidative stress index detection, histopathological examinations and other analyses.

RESULTS

Coadministration of curcumin could significantly reduce glyoxylate-induced CaOx deposition and simultaneous tissue injury in mouse kidneys. Meanwhile, curcumin alleviated the oxidative stress response via reducing MDA content and increasing SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GSH levels in this animal model. Moreover, treatment with curcumin significantly inhibited apoptosis and autophagy induced by hyperoxaluria. Curcumin also attenuated the high expression of IL-6, MCP-1, OPN, CD44, α-SMA, Collagen I and collagen fibril deposition, which were elevated by hyperoxaluria. Furthermore, the results revealed that both the total expression and nuclear accumulation of Nrf2, as well as its main downstream products such as HO-1, NQO1 and UGT, were decreased in the kidneys of mice in the crystal group, while treatment with curcumin could rescue this deterioration.

CONCLUSION

Curcumin could significantly alleviate CaOx crystal deposition in the mouse kidney and the concurrent renal tissue injury. The underlying mechanism involved the combination of antioxidant, anti-apoptotic, inhibiting autophagy, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activity and the ability to decrease expression of OPN and CD44 through the Nrf2 signaling pathway. The pleiotropic antilithic properties, combined with the minimal side effects, make curcumin a good potential choice to prevent and treat new or recurrent nephrolithiasis.

Silymarin Attenuates ELMO-1 and KIM-1 Expression and Oxidative Stress in the Kidney of Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

Chronic diabetes mellitus is accompanied with overexpression of ELMO1 and KIM1 and enhanced oxidative stress. This study was aimed to evaluate the effects of administration of silymarin on oxidative stress markers and ELMO1 and KIM1 expression in the kidney tissue of type 2 diabetic rats. In this experimental study, 36 male Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Control, silymarin-treated control (60 and 120 mg/kg/day), diabetic, and silymarin-treated diabetic groups (60 and 120 mg/kg/day). Tissue levels of oxidative stress and biochemical parameters were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Lipid peroxidation levels in the kidney tissue were measured by fluorometric method. Insulin was determined using immunoassay. Gene expression analysis was determined by qPCR technique. The level of expression of ELMO1 and KIM1 in the diabetic groups treated with silymarin was significantly reduced (P < 0.001). Total antioxidant levels and thiol groups contents increased (P < 0.001) dramatically in treated groups. A significant decrease in tissue levels of malondialdehyde and total oxidant were observed in the silymarin treated diabetic rats (P < 0.001). The results showed that the urinary amount of protein in the treatment groups was significantly lower than of diabetic control (P < 0.001). These results indicate that silymarin has a blood glucose lowering effect and, due to its antioxidant properties, increases the antioxidant parameters and reduces the oxidant markers. The administration of silymarin has beneficial effects on kidney of diabetic rats with reduction of ELMO1 and KIM1expression.