1
|
Rui Y, Zhang X, Min X, Xie H, Ma X, Geng F, Liu R. Unlocking renal Restoration: Mesaconine from Aconitum plants restore mitochondrial function to halt cell apoptosis in acute kidney injury. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 133:112170. [PMID: 38691919 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.112170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/27/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is characterized by a sudden decline in renal function. Traditional Chinese medicine has employed Fuzi for kidney diseases; however, concerns about neurotoxicity and cardiotoxicity have constrained its clinical use. This study explored mesaconine, derived from processed Fuzi, as a promising low-toxicity alternative for AKI treatment. In this study, we assessed the protective effects of mesaconine in gentamicin (GM)-induced NRK-52E cells and AKI rat models in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Mesaconine promotes the proliferation of damaged NRK-52E cells and down-regulates intracellular transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1) to promote renal cell repair. Concurrently, mesaconine restored mitochondrial morphology and permeability transition pores, reversed the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential, mitigated mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased ATP production, inhibited inflammatory factor release, and reduced early apoptosis rates. In vivo, GM-induced AKI rat models exhibited elevated AKI biomarkers, in which mesaconine was effectively reduced, indicating improved renal function. Mesaconine enhanced superoxide dismutase activity, reduced malondialdehyde content, alleviated inflammatory infiltrate, mitigated tubular and glomerular lesions, and downregulated NF-κB (nuclear factor-κb) p65 expression, leading to decreased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and IL-1β (interleukin-1β) levels in GM-induced AKI animals. Furthermore, mesaconine inhibited the expression of renal pro-apoptotic proteins (Bax, cytochrome c, cleaved-caspase 9, and cleaved-caspase 3) and induced the release of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2, further suppressing apoptosis. This study highlighted the therapeutic potential of mesaconine in GM-induced AKI. Its multifaceted mechanisms, including the restoration of mitochondrial dysfunction, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, and apoptosis mitigation, make mesaconine a promising candidate for further exploration in AKI management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Rui
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Xiumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Xinran Min
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Hongxiao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Xiuying Ma
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Medicinal Animals, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Funeng Geng
- Sichuan Engineering Research Center for Medicinal Animals, Sichuan 611137, China; Guizhou Yunfeng Pharmaceutical, Guizhou 510000, China.
| | - Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; Department of Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu Z, Zhang M, Wang Y, Chen R, Xu S, Sun X, Yang Y, Lin Z, Wang S, Huang H. Gentiopicroside Ameliorates Diabetic Renal Tubulointerstitial Fibrosis via Inhibiting the AT1R/CK2/NF-κB Pathway. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:848915. [PMID: 35814242 PMCID: PMC9260113 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.848915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis (TIF), characterized by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal tubular epithelial cells, is the typical pathological alteration in diabetic nephropathy. Gentiopicroside (GPS), a natural compound with anti-inflammatory activity, has been demonstrated to alleviate glomerulosclerosis, whereas whether GPS inhibits TIF via regulating inflammation remains unclear. In this study, diabetic db/db mice and high glucose (HG)-stimulated renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK-52E) were applied to explore the effects and mechanisms of GPS on TIF. The results in vivo showed that GPS effectively improves glycolipid metabolism disorder, renal dysfunction, and TIF. In particular, GPS treatment reversed the abnormal expressions of EMT marker proteins including elevated α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin and decreased E-cadherin in the kidney of db/db mice. Moreover, GPS treatment also inhibited protein expressions of angiotensinⅡ type 1 receptor (AT1R) and CK2α and the activation of the NF-κB pathway. Importantly, the aforementioned effects of GPS acted in vivo were further observed in vitro in HG-stimulated NRK-52E cells, which were independent of its effects on glucose and lipid-lowering activity but were reversed by AT1R over-expression. Together, our results indicate that GPS that directly inhibits the CK2/NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway via AT1R may also contribute to the amelioration of TIF in diabetes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhanchi Xu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng Zhang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou,, China
| | - Rui Chen
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiyue Xu
- Department of Hypertension and Vascular Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shiyue Xu, ; Shaogui Wang, ; Heqing Huang,
| | - Xiaohong Sun
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yan Yang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zeyuan Lin
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shaogui Wang
- School of Pharmaceutical Science, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shiyue Xu, ; Shaogui Wang, ; Heqing Huang,
| | - Heqing Huang
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Shiyue Xu, ; Shaogui Wang, ; Heqing Huang,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Li D, Li B, Rui Y, Xie H, Zhang X, Liu R, Zeng N. Piperazine ferulate attenuates gentamicin-induced acute kidney injury via the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway. PHYTOMEDICINE : INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PHYTOTHERAPY AND PHYTOPHARMACOLOGY 2022; 99:154021. [PMID: 35286937 DOI: 10.1016/j.phymed.2022.154021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Piperazine ferulate (PF) is widely used in chronic nephritis and nephrotic syndrome in clinic. PF can improve diseases related inflammation by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signal. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is usually associated with the occurrence and development of renal inflammation. However, the nephroprotective effect and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of PF on AKI are not clear. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the nephroprotective effects of PF on gentamicin (GM) induced AKI in rats and its potential mechanisms. METHODS Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were intraperitoneally injected with GM (100 mg/kg/day) with or without PF (50 and 100 mg/kg/day) for 7 consecutive days. In vitro, the NRK-52e cells were exposed to GM (7 mg/ml) with or without PF (62.5 μg/ml) treatment. The renal injury and cell damage were assessed subsequently. RESULTS Our findings showed that PF treatment can significantly improve renal function, reduce renal pathological changes, and attenuate inflammatory response in rats treated with gentamicin. Besides, PF could significantly reduce the cell damage and cellular inflammatory response. In terms of mechanisms, our study revealed that PF can evidently inhibit the activation of NF-κB and nod-like receptor family pyrin domain protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Meanwhile, it could down regulate the expressions of protein and gene of p-IKKα, p-IKKβ, p-p65, p65, p50, p105, NLRP3 and IL-1β. CONCLUSION Our findings showed that PF may improve inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 pathway, so as to attenuate AKI.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Bo Li
- Chengdu Hanpharm Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Pengzhou, Sichuan 611930, China
| | - Yixin Rui
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Hongxiao Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Xiumeng Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China
| | - Rong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China.
| | - Nan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Southwestern Chinese Medicine Resources, School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China; School of Pharmacy, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan 611137, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lei Z, Luan F, Zhang X, Peng L, Li B, Peng X, Liu Y, Liu R, Zeng N. Piperazine ferulate protects against cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury in rat via the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 920:174856. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2022.174856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
|
5
|
Yang YY, Chen Z, Yang XD, Deng RR, Shi LX, Yao LY, Xiang DX. Piperazine ferulate prevents high-glucose-induced filtration barrier injury of glomerular endothelial cells. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1175. [PMID: 34504620 PMCID: PMC8393711 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Filtration barrier injury induced by high glucose (HG) levels leads to the development of diabetic nephropathy. The endothelial glycocalyx plays a critical role in glomerular barrier function. In the present study, the effects of piperazine ferulate (PF) on HG-induced filtration barrier injury of glomerular endothelial cells (GEnCs) were investigated and the underlying mechanism was assessed. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the distribution of the glycocalyx as well as the expression levels of syndecan-1 and Zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1). Endothelial permeability assays were performed to assess the effects of PF on the integrity of the filtration barrier. Protein and mRNA expression levels were measured by western blotting and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR analyses, respectively. In vitro experiments revealed that adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) mediated HG-induced glycocalyx degradation and endothelial barrier injury. PF inhibited the HG-induced endothelial barrier injury and restored the expression levels of heparanase-1 (Hpa-1), ZO-1 and occludin-1 by AMPK. In vivo assays demonstrated that PF reduced the expression levels of Hpa-1, increased the expression levels of ZO-1 and attenuated glycocalyx degradation in the glomerulus. These data suggested that PF attenuated HG-induced filtration barrier injury of GEnC by regulating AMPK expression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Central of Translational Medical and Innovative Drug, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Ding Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Rong-Rong Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Ling-Xing Shi
- Department of Pharmacology, Changsha Medical University, Changsha, Hunan 410219, P.R. China
| | - Liang-Yuan Yao
- Hunan Qianjin Xiangjiang Pharmaceutical Industry Co., Ltd., Zhuzhou, Hunan 412000, P.R. China
| | - Da-Xiong Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China.,Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Central of Translational Medical and Innovative Drug, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Yang YY, Deng RR, Chen Z, Yao LY, Yang XD, Xiang DX. Piperazine ferulate attenuates high glucose‑induced mesangial cell injury via the regulation of p66 Shc. Mol Med Rep 2021; 23:374. [PMID: 33760157 PMCID: PMC7985999 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a severe microvascular complication of diabetes. Hyperglycemia-induced glomerular mesangial cells injury is associated with microvascular damage, which is an important step in the development of DN. Piperazine ferulate (PF) has been reported to exert protective effects against the progression of DN. However, whether PF prevents high glucose (HG)-induced mesangial cell injury remains unknown. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of PF on HG-induced mesangial cell injury and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Protein and mRNA expression levels were determined via western blot analysis and reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, respectively. IL-6 and TNF-α levels were measured using ELISA. Reactive oxygen species levels and NF-κB p65 nuclear translation were determined via immunofluorescence analysis. Apoptosis was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, as well as using MTT and flow cytometric assays. The mitochondrial membrane potential of mesangial cells was determined using the JC-1 kit. The results revealed that LDH release were increased; however, cell viability and mitochondrial membrane potential were decreased in the HG group compared with the control group. These changes were inhibited after the mesangial cells were treated with PF. Moreover, PF significantly inhibited the HG-induced production of inflammatory cytokines and the activation of NF-κB in mesangial cells. PF also attenuated the HG-induced upregulation of the expression levels of fibronectin and collagen 4A1. Furthermore, the overexpression of p66Src homology/collagen (Shc) abolished the protective effect of PF on HG-induced mesangial cell injury. In vivo experiments revealed that PF inhibited the activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, glomerular cell apoptosis and mesangial matrix expansion in diabetic mice. Collectively, the present findings demonstrated that PF attenuated HG-induced mesangial cells injury by inhibiting p66Shc.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yong-Yu Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Rong-Rong Deng
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 510006, P.R. China
| | - Zhuo Chen
- Department of Geriatrics, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410013, P.R. China
| | - Liang-Yuan Yao
- Hunan Provincial Engineering Research Central of Translational Medical and Innovative Drug, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Xi-Ding Yang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| | - Da-Xiong Xiang
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410011, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|