Irbesartan (a comprehensive profile)

Protective effect of irbesartan against hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats: role of ERK, STAT3, and PPAR-γ inflammatory pathways in rats

This study aimed to elucidate the possible hepatocellular protective role of irbesartan during hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (HIRI) and the probable underlying mechanisms. Wistar rats were allocated into four groups: sham; HIRI (control); irbesartan (50 mg/kg) + HIRI; irbesartan (100 mg/kg) + HIRI; irbesartan + GW9662 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) + HIRI. Rats pretreated orally with irbesartan or vehicle for 14 days underwent 45-min hepatic ischemia followed by 60-min reperfusion. Irbesartan preconditioning diminished alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) serum levels, and reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3). Irbesartan decreased proapoptotic BAX (bcl-2-like protein 4), increased anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) hepatic content, and thereby reduced BAX/BCL2 ratio. Moreover, irbesartan preconditioning reduced autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and LC3 II, and elevated p62 (protein responsible for autophagosome degradation). It elevated proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ), and reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) hepatic gene expression. Also, hepatic protein expressions of nuclear factor kappa-B p65 (NF-κB p65) and caspase-3 were lessoned by irbesartan pretreatment in HIRI rats. However, GW9662 abrogated irbesartan's effect on HIRI. The protective effect of irbesartan on HIRI may be mediated by alleviation of ERK, STAT3, and PPAR-γ inflammatory pathways, exerting anti-apoptotic and anti-autophagic effects in HIRI in rats.

Irbesartan restored aquaporin-1 levels via inhibition of NF-kB expression in acute kidney injury model

INTRODUCTION

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a serious pathology that progress with dysfunction of regulating blood pressure and fluid balance, concentrating urine due to decrement of aquaporin-1 (AQP) levels during the inflammation process. Irbesartan (IRN), angiotensin receptor blocker, is widely used in the treatment of hypertension, which also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effects of IRN in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced kidney injury.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty-four rats divided into three groups as control, LPS and LPS+IRN group. After 6h of LPS administration, rats were sacrificed. Blood samples and half of the kidney tissues were collected for biochemical analysis and remaining tissues were taken for histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis.

RESULTS

In the LPS group, glomerular congestion and shrinkage, degeneration of distal tubules, mononuclear cell infiltration, cellular debris and intense proteinous accumulation in the tubules, increased expressions of Cas-3, nuclear factor kappa beta-p65 (NF-kB p65), levels of creatinin, TOS, OSI and decreased levels of TAS, AQP-1 were found significantly. IRN treatment reversed all these parameters. IRN's restorated AQP-1 levels by its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-apoptotic effects due to inhibiting NF-kB expression.

CONCLUSION

This study suggests that IRN can be used in conditions affecting the kidneys such as AKI. Further studies needed for detailed molecular investigation of IRN at different doses and durations.

Drug-drug interaction between danshensu and irbesartan and its potential mechanism

To uncover the effect of danshensu on irbesartan pharmacokinetics and its underlying mechanisms.To investigate the effect of danshensu on the pharmacokinetics of irbesartan, Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 6) were orally administered 30 mg/kg irbesartan alone (control group) or pre-treated with 160 mg/kg danshensu (experimental group). The effect of danshensu on the metabolic stability of irbesartan in RLMs was examined by LC-MS/MS method. The effect of danshensu on CYP2C9 activity was also determined.Danshensu markedly increased the AUC(0-t) (9573 ± 441 vs. 16157 ± 559 μg/L*h) and Cmax (821 ± 24 vs. 1231 ± 44 μg/L) of irbesartan. Danshensu prolonged the t1/2 (13.39 ± 0.98 vs. 16.04 ± 1.21 h) and decreased the clearance rate (2.27 ± 0.14 vs. 1.19 ± 0.10 L/h/kg) of irbesartan. Danshensu enhanced the metabolic stability of irbesartan in vitro with prolonged t1/2 (36.34 ± 11.68 vs. 48.62 ± 12.03 min) and reduced intrinsic clearance (38.14 ± 10.24 vs. 28.51 ± 9.06 μL/min/mg protein). Additionally, the IC50 value for CYP2C9 inhibition by danshensu was 35.74 μM.Danshensu enhanced systemic exposure of irbesartan by suppressing CYP2C9. The finding can also serve as a guidance for further investigation of danshensu-irbesartan interaction in clinical practice.

Role of sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP) in HBV-induced hepatitis: Opportunities for developing novel therapeutics

Hepatitis B is an infectious disease caused by the HBV virus. It presents a significant challenge for treatment due to its chronic nature and the potential for developing severe complications, including hepatocirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. These complications not only cause physical and psychological distress to patients but also impose substantial economic and social burdens on both individuals and society as a whole. The internalization of HBV relies on endocytosis and necessitates the involvement of various proteins, including heparin sulfate proteoglycans, epidermal growth factor receptors, and NTCP. Among these proteins, NTCP is pivotal in HBV internalization and is primarily located in the liver's basement membrane. As a transporter of bile acids, NTCP also serves as a receptor facilitating HBV entry into cells. Numerous molecules have been identified to thwart HBV infection by stifling NTCP activity, although only a handful exhibit low IC50 values. In this systematic review, our primary focus dwells on the structure and regulation of NTCP, as well as the mechanism involved in HBV internalization. We underscore recent drug breakthroughs that specifically target NTCP to combat HBV infection. By shedding light on these advances, this review contributes novel insights into developing effective anti-HBV medications.

Pleiotropic effects of AT-1 receptor antagonists in hypoxia induced by cardiac ischaemia

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a crucial role and coordinates multiple body functions through its hormonal mechanism. The RAS is supported in its function by numerous peptides such as angiotensin II (Ang II), Ang IV, Ang III, angiotensin (1-7) and (1-9). The system formed by ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MASr is a regulatory pathway within the RAS system and its functions are different from those of the ACE/Ang II/AT-1r system. Recently, it has been discovered that a key role of the RAS and the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MASr system is in inflammatory processes such as cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Studies are ongoing to better understand and comprehend the function of the RAS in inflammation. Recent evidence associates AT-1r antagonists with a cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertrophic role. In this in vitro study, we demonstrate the protective role of treatment (50 and 200 μM) of an AT-1r antagonist, irbesartan, on hypoxia and inflammation-induced damage in cardiomyocytes.