Nephroprotective effects of Candesartan Cilexetil against Cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity in a rat model

The gut-kidney axis is regulated by astragaloside IV to inhibit cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity

Introduction

Chronic nephrotoxicity caused by CNIs (CICN) manifests clinically as chronic kidney disease (CKD). Astragaloside IV (AS-IV) plays a certain role in the treatment of CKD. This study aimed to verify the ameliorative effects of AS-IV on CICN and further explore the mechanisms underlying the modulation of the "gut-transcriptome-metabolome coexpression network" by AS-IV within the context of the "gut-kidney axis" to improve CICN.

Methods

Five groups of 40 mice were studied: a normal group (N, olive oil), a model group (M, CsA, 30 mg kg--1 d-1), a low-dose AS-IV group (CsA + AS-IV, 30 mg kg-1 d-1 + 10 mg kg-1 d-1), a high-dose AS-IV group (CsA + AS-IV, 30 mg kg-1 d-1 + 20 mg kg-1 d-1), and a valsartan group (CsA + Val, 30 mg kg-1 d-1 + 10 mg kg-1 d-1). The gut microbiota, renal transcriptome, and urine metabolome were separately detected to construct a gut-transcriptome-metabolome coexpression network. The target species, target genes, and target metabolites of AS-IV were evaluated.

Results

CsA led to increased proteinuria and a deterioration of kidney function, accompanied by increased inflammation and oxidative stress, whereas AS-IV improved kidney damage. AS-IV inhibited intestinal permeability and disrupted the microbiota structure, increasing the abundance of Lactobacillus reuteri, Bifidobacterium animalis, Ignatzschineria indica, and Blautia glucerasea. Six coexpression pathways related to transcription and metabolism, including the citrate cycle, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, proximal tubule bicarbonate reclamation, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, ferroptosis, and drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, were identified. Seven target metabolites of AS-IV were identified in the 6 pathways, including UDP-D-galacturonic acid, 2-phenylethanol glucuronide, dehydroascorbic acid, isopentenyl pyrophosphate, alpha-D-glucose, 3-carboxy-1-hydroxypropylthiamine diphosphate and citalopram aldehyde. Five target genes of AS-IV, Ugt1a2, Ugt1a9, Ugt1a5, Pck1, and Slc7a11, were also identified and predicted by NONMMUT144584.1, MSTRG.30357.1 and ENSMUST00000174821. Lactobacillus reuteri was highly correlated with renal function and the target genes and metabolites of AS-IV. The target genes and metabolites of AS-IV were further validated. AS-IV inhibited intestinal-derived urinary toxins and improved renal tissue apoptosis, lipid accumulation, collagen deposition, and mitochondrial damage.

Conclusion

AS-IV improved CICN through the coexpression of the gut-transcriptome-metabolome network. The six pathways related to energy metabolism driven by L. reuteri, including the citrate cycle, ascorbate and alderate metabolism, proximal tube bicarbonate metabolism, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, ferroptosis, drug metabolism-cytochrome P450, are important mechanisms.

Potential cardioprotective effect of trimetazidine in mice model of endotoxemia: role of AMPK-Nrf2

OBJECTIVE

Aim: To clarify the potential cardioprotective effect of Trimetazidine against experimentally sepsis-caused endotoxic cardiac injury damage in mice.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Materials and Methods: 24 Mice were divided into four groups (n=6): Sham group, CLP group DMSO group, trimetazidine-treated group 50 mg/kg IP, 1hr before CLP, then the animals were sacrificed 24 hr after CLP and tissue sample was taken for measurement of TNF-α, TNF-αr1, IL-1β, HO-1, MPO, caspase-11, F2-isoprostane and serum troponin by ELISA and gene expression of AMPK-Nrf2 by qpcr and histopathological study.

RESULTS

Results: trimetazidine treated group showed significant changes as compared with clp group regarding TNF-α, TNF-αr1, IL-1β, HO-1, MPO, CASPASE-11, F2-ISOPROSTANE as well as affect tissue mRNA expression of AMPK-Nrf2 genes p<0.05.

CONCLUSION

Conclusions: We evaluate that Trimetazidine has cardio protective effects due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative action. Also, trimetazidine showed a cardio-protective effect as they affect tissue mRNA expression of AMPK-Nrf2 genes.

Cyclosporine-induced kidney damage was halted by sitagliptin and hesperidin via increasing Nrf2 and suppressing TNF-α, NF-κB, and Bax

Cyclosporine A (CsA) is employed for organ transplantation and autoimmune disorders. Nephrotoxicity is a serious side effect that hampers the therapeutic use of CsA. Hesperidin and sitagliptin were investigated for their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-protective properties. We aimed to investigate and compare the possible nephroprotective effects of hesperidin and sitagliptin. Male Wistar rats were utilized for induction of CsA nephrotoxicity (20 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally for 7 days). Animals were treated with sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days) or hesperidin (200 mg/kg/day, orally for 14 days). Blood urea, serum creatinine, albumin, cystatin-C (CYS-C), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and glucose were measured. The renal malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase, and SOD were estimated. Renal TNF-α protein expression was evaluated. Histopathological examination and immunostaining study of Bax, Nrf-2, and NF-κB were performed. Sitagliptin or hesperidin attenuated CsA-mediated elevations of blood urea, serum creatinine, CYS-C, glucose, renal MDA, and MPO, and preserved the serum albumin, renal catalase, SOD, and GSH. They reduced the expressions of TNF-α, Bax, NF-κB, and pathological kidney damage. Nrf2 expression in the kidney was raised. Hesperidin or sitagliptin could protect the kidney against CsA through the mitigation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation. Sitagliptin proved to be more beneficial than hesperidin.