Doh KC, Lim SW, Piao SG, Jin L, Heo SB, Zheng YF, Bae SK, Hwang GH, Min KI, Chung BH, Yang CW. Ginseng treatment attenuates chronic cyclosporine nephropathy via reducing oxidative stress in an experimental mouse model.
Am J Nephrol 2013;
37:421-33. [PMID:
23594788 DOI:
10.1159/000349921]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 02/17/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study was performed to investigate whether ginseng extract has a protective effect in an experimental mouse model of chronic cyclosporine (CsA) nephropathy.
METHODS
Mice were treated with CsA (30 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) with or without Korean red ginseng extract (KRG) (0.2, 0.4 g/kg/day, orally) on a 0.01% salt diet for 4 weeks. The effect of KRG on CsA-induced renal injury was evaluated by assessing renal function and pathology, mediators of inflammation, tubulointerstitial fibrosis and apoptotic cell death. Using an in vitro model, we also examined the effect of KRG on CsA-treated proximal tubular cells (HK-2). Oxidative stress was measured by assessing 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in 24-hour urine, tissue sections, and culture media.
RESULTS
Four weeks of CsA treatment caused renal dysfunction, typical pathologic lesions and apoptotic cell death. KRG treatment reduced serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and histopathology and increased creatinine clearance. Proinflammatory and profibrotic molecules such as induced nitric oxide synthase, cytokines, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 and TGF-β1-inducible gene h3 and apoptotic cell death, also decreased with KRG treatment. Consistent with these results, in vitro studies showed that addition of KRG protected against CsA-induced morphological changes, cytotoxicity, inflammation, and apoptotic cell death as demonstrated by annexin V binding. These changes were accompanied by decrease in the level of 8-OHdG in urine and culture supernatant after KRG treatment.
CONCLUSION
The results of our in vivo and in vitro studies demonstrate that KRG has a protective effect in CsA-induced renal injury via reducing oxidative stress.
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