Genistein ameliorates parathyroid hormone-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and inhibits expression of connective tissue growth factor in human renal proximal tubular cells

The Genistein Supply and Elemental Composition of Rat Kidneys in an Induced Breast Cancer Model

Background: Many natural phytochemicals support the work of the kidneys. The health effects of genistein have been confirmed in many kidney diseases (inflammation and acute kidney injury, cancer or menopausal or senile changes). Genistein through various mechanisms can affect kidney conditions. Objectives: The purpose of this work was to analyze the supply of various forms of genistein at a low dose (0.2 mg/kg b.w.) on the renal mineral composition of rats under conditions of mammary gland tumorigenesis (induced with DMBA). Methods: Sprague rats at the age of 40 days were divided into four research groups, i.e., a control group receiving only standard feed and four groups receiving feed supplemented with genistein in the form of nanoparticles (0.1 mg/mL, i.e., 0.2 mg/kg.i.d.) (size: 92 ± 41 nm), genistein in microparticle form (0.1 mg/mL, i.e., 0.2 mg/kg.i.d.) (size: 587 ± 83 nm) and genistein in macroparticle form (normal, classical) (0.1 mg/mL, i.e., 0.2 mg/kg.i.d.). Mammary gland cancer was induced using DMBA (7,12-dimethyl-1,2-benz(a)anthracene). The experiment lasted 100 days. The concentrations of Ca, Zn, Fe, Cu, As, Se, Rb, Sr, Mo, B, and Mn were measured using the ICP-MS method, while the levels of K, Mg, and Na were measured using the FAAS method. Results: It was shown that, depending on the degree of miniaturization of genistein, its administration affected changes in kidney mineral composition, primarily resulting in a strongly reduced calcium content in the group of rats receiving nanogenistein. We found a negative impact of nanogenistein administration on the amount of calcium and iron, indicating an increased distribution or excretion of these elements from the body, as well as an increase in the number of elements, especially magnesium, sodium, zinc, boron, and copper concentrations, compared to the non-supplemented group. Conclusions: This study confirms the need for thorough clinical analyses in the future, with regard to the effects of genistein, especially its nanoforms on the body.

Human Parathyroid Hormone Analog (3-34/29-34) promotes wound re-epithelialization through inducing keratinocyte migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition via PTHR1-PI3K/AKT activation

BACKGROUND

Re-epithelialization is important in the process of wound healing. Various methods have been identified to expedite the process, but their clinical application remains limited. While parathyroid hormone (PTH) has shown promising results in wound healing due to its role in promoting collagen deposition and cell migration, application is limited by its potentially inhibitive effects when being continuously and locally administrated. Herein, we developed a novel PTH analog, Human parathyroid hormone (hPTH) (3-34/29-34) (henceforth MY-1), by partially replacing and repeating the amino acid sequences of hPTH (1-34), and evaluated its effect on skin wound re-epithelialization.

METHODS

CCK-8, colony formation unit assay, and Ki67 immunofluorescent staining were performed to evaluate the effect of MY-1 on HaCaT cell proliferation. Then, wound scratch assay, Transwell assay and lamellipodia staining were carried out to evaluate the effect of MY-1 on cell migration. Moreover, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers were measured using qPCR and western blot analysis. For in-vivo drug delivery, gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel was employed to load the MY-1, with the physicochemical characteristics evaluated prior to its application in wound models. Then, MY-1's role in wound healing was determined via acute skin wound models. Finally, the mechanism that MY-1 activated was also detected on HaCaT cells and in-vivo wound models.

RESULTS

In-vitro, MY-1 accelerated the migration and EMT of HaCaT cells, while having little effect on cell proliferation. GelMA and MY-1-incorporated GelMA hydrogels showed similar physicochemical characteristics and were used in the in-vivo studies, where the results revealed that MY-1 led to a stronger re-epithelialization by inducing basal keratinocyte migration and EMT. Further studies on in-vivo wound models and in-vitro HaCaT cells revealed that MY-1 regulated cell migration and EMT through activating PI3K/AKT signaling. The parathyroid hormone type 1 receptor (PTHR1), the main receptor of PTH, was found to be the upstream of PI3K/AKT signaling, through interfering PTHR1 expression with a small interference RNA following detection of the PI3K/AKT activation.

CONCLUSION

Collectively, our study demonstrated that MY-1 accelerates skin wound re-epithelialization by inducing keratinocyte migration and EMT via PTHR1-PI3K/AKT axis activation. Video Abstract.

Effects of Genistein on Common Kidney Diseases

Genistein is a naturally occurring phytoestrogen (soy or soybean products) that is classified as an isoflavone, and its structure is similar to that of endogenous estrogens; therefore, genistein can exert an estrogen-like effect via estrogen receptors. Additionally, genistein is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, which enables it to block abnormal cell growth and proliferation signals through the inhibition of tyrosine kinase. Genistein is also an angiogenesis inhibitor and an antioxidant. Genistein has effects on kidney cells, some of the kidney’s physiological functions, and a variety of kidney diseases. First, genistein exerts a protective effect on normal cells by reducing the inflammatory response, inhibiting apoptosis, inhibiting oxidative stress, inhibiting remodeling, etc., but after cell injury, the protective effect of genistein decreases or even has the opposite effect. Second, genistein can regulate renin intake to maintain blood pressure balance, regulate calcium uptake to regulate Ca²⁺ and Pi balances, and reduce vasodilation to promote diuresis. Third, genistein has beneficial effects on a variety of kidney diseases (including acute kidney disease, kidney cancer, and different chronic kidney diseases), such as reducing symptoms, delaying disease progression, and improving prognosis. Therefore, this paper reviews animal and human studies on the protective effects of genistein on the kidney in vivo and in vitro to provide a reference for clinical research in the future.

Dietary Phytoestrogens Ameliorate Hydrochloric Acid-Induced Chronic Lung Injury and Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

We previously reported that female mice exhibit protection against chemically induced pulmonary fibrosis and suggested a potential role of estrogen. Phytoestrogens act, at least in part, via stimulation of estrogen receptors; furthermore, compared to residents of Western countries, residents of East Asian countries consume higher amounts of phytoestrogens and exhibit lower rates of pulmonary fibrosis. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that dietary phytoestrogens ameliorate the severity of experimentally induced pulmonary fibrosis. Male mice placed on either regular soybean diet or phytoestrogen-free diet were instilled with 0.1 N HCl to provoke pulmonary fibrosis. Thirty days later, lung mechanics were measured as indices of lung function and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and lung tissue were analyzed for biomarkers of fibrosis. Mice on phytoestrogen-free diet demonstrated increased mortality and stronger signs of chronic lung injury and pulmonary fibrosis, as reflected in the expression of collagen, extracellular matrix deposition, histology, and lung mechanics, compared to mice on regular diet. We conclude that dietary phytoestrogens play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis and suggest that phytoestrogens (e.g., genistein) may be useful as part of a therapeutic regimen against hydrochloric acid-induced lung fibrosis and chronic lung dysfunction.

Genistein: An Integrative Overview of Its Mode of Action, Pharmacological Properties, and Health Benefits

Genistein is an isoflavone first isolated from the brooming plant Dyer's Genista tinctoria L. and is widely distributed in the Fabaceae family. As an isoflavone, mammalian genistein exerts estrogen-like functions. Several biological effects of genistein have been reported in preclinical studies, such as the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral activities, the effects of angiogenesis and estrogen, and the pharmacological activities on diabetes and lipid metabolism. The purpose of this review is to provide up-to-date evidence of preclinical pharmacological activities with mechanisms of action, bioavailability, and clinical evidence of genistein. The literature was researched using the most important keyword "genistein" from the PubMed, Science, and Google Scholar databases, and the taxonomy was validated using The Plant List. Data were also collected from specialized books and other online resources. The main positive effects of genistein refer to the protection against cardiovascular diseases and to the decrease of the incidence of some types of cancer, especially breast cancer. Although the mechanism of protection against cancer involves several aspects of genistein metabolism, the researchers attribute this effect to the similarity between the structure of soy genistein and that of estrogen. This structural similarity allows genistein to displace estrogen from cellular receptors, thus blocking their hormonal activity. The pharmacological activities resulting from the experimental studies of this review support the traditional uses of genistein, but in the future, further investigations are needed on the efficacy, safety, and use of nanotechnologies to increase bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative Properties of Isoflavones Provide Renal Protective Effects Distinct from Those of Dietary Soy Proteins against Diabetic Nephropathy

SCOPE

Dietary soy reportedly protects from diabetic nephropathy (DN), but its active components and mechanism of action remain unknown.

METHODS AND RESULTS

In this study, KKAy mice are fed three types of diet: Dietary soy isoflavones with soy protein (Soy-IP) diet, reduced isoflavones soy protein (RisoP), and oral administration of isoflavones aglycones (IsoAgc). Albuminuria and glycosuria are decreased only in the soy-IP group. The risoP group show reduced expansion of mesangial matrix and renal fibrosis, the IsoAgc group show renal anti-fibrotic and anti-inflammatory effects; however, these renal pathological changes are repressed in the soy-IP group, suggesting the distinct protective roles of soy protein or isoflavones in DN. The isoflavone genistein has a better inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response and cellular interactions in both mouse tubular cells and macrophages when exposed to high glucose and albumin (HGA). Genistein also represses HGA-induced activator protein 1 activation and reactive oxidases stress generation, accompanied by reduced NADPH oxidase (NOX) gene expression. Finally, diabetic mice show a decrease in lipid peroxidation levels in both plasma and urine, along with lower NOXs gene expression.

CONCLUSION

The data elucidate the detailed mechanism by which isoflavones inhibit renal inflammation and provide a potential practical adjunct therapy to restrict DN progression.

Renal protection of rhein against 5/6 nephrectomied-induced chronic kidney disease: role of SIRT3-FOXO3α signalling pathway

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study is to investigate the antifibrosis and anti-oxidation of rhein in vivo and in vitro, and to evaluate potential mechanisms involved in the treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

In experimental animal studies, CKD was established by 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx). Serum creatinine (Scr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were determined. Histopathologic tests were performed by HE and Masson trichrome stained. The level of ROS was investigated by fluorescence microplate with the probe 2', 7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). The protein expressions of p47phox and gp91phox were measured in 5/6Nx rats. In HK-2 cells, the expression of SIRT3 and Foxo3α was measured in SIRT3 knockdown conditions. The indicators of oxidation and fibrosisi were measured in SIRT3 knockdown conditions.

KEY FINDINGS

The results showed that, in addition to reducing renal interstitial pathologic injury and collagen fibrils, rhein administration improved renal function. The protective mechanisms were attributed to active SIRT3/FOXO3α signalling pathway and then play the anti-oxidative capacity of rhein, as well as to subsequent antifibrotic effect.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, rhein protected kidney through SIRT3/FOXO3a involvement. The anti-oxidative capacity of rhein contributed to the protective effects including the subsequent antifibrotic responses.

Genistein attenuates renal fibrosis in streptozotocin‑induced diabetic rats

The present study aimed to investigate the antifibrogenic effects of genistein (GEN) on the kidney in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats and to determine the associated mechanisms. Rats were randomized into four groups: Normal control (N), STZ (S), L (STZ + low-dose GEN) and H (STZ + high-dose GEN). After 8 weeks, the fasting blood glucose (FBG) level, the ratio of kidney weight to body weight (renal index), 24-h urine protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (SCr), renal total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxidation (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (Hyp) contents were measured. The histomorphology and ultrastructure of the kidney were also assessed. In addition, mRNA expression levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and protein expression levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), TGF-β1, mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 3 (Smad3), phosphorylated (p)-Smad3 and collagen IV were estimated. Compared with group N, the levels of FBG, renal index, 24-h urine protein, BUN, SCr, LPO, MDA and Hyp were increased, whereas the levels of T-AOC and SOD were decreased in group S. The structure of renal tissue was damaged, and the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and NQO1 were reduced, whereas the expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, p-Smad3 and collagen IV were increased in group S. Compared with group S, the aforementioned indices were improved in groups L and H. In conclusion, GEN exhibited reno-protective effects in diabetic rats and its mechanisms may be associated with the inhibition of oxidative stress by activating the Nrf2-HO-1/NQO1 pathway, and the alleviation of renal fibrosis by suppressing the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

The influence of fasudil on renal proximal tubular cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by parathormone

BACKGROUND

Renal fibrosis is a common pathway through which a variety of chronic kidney diseases progress to end-stage renal disease. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of renal proximal tubular cells is one of the most important factors in renal fibrosis. This study investigates if fasudil could influence EMT of renal proximal tubular cells.

METHODS

HK-2 cells in passage 3-4 were used for all experiments. The cells were divided into five groups and treated with different concentrations of PTH and then observe cellular morphological changes at 0, 24 and 48 h using an inverted microscope and investigate the expression of the epithelial cell marker E-cadherin and the renal fibroblast marker α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA).

RESULTS

PTH significantly induced EMT, fasudil-inhibited EMT induced by PTH to different degrees, and the inhibitory effect of fasudil was most pronounced at 20 μmol/L.

CONCLUSION

Monitoring PTH levels, early prevention and control of hyperparathyroidism and reducing the concentration of PTH are important means to improve prognosis and delay the progression of chronic kidney disease. Fasudil can restrain EMT induced by PTH; this conclusion provides experimental data for the application of fasudil in the clinical prevention and treatment of renal fibrosis.

CTGF upregulation correlates with MMP-9 level in airway remodeling in a murine model of asthma

INTRODUCTION

Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) mediates hypertrophy, proliferation, and extracellular matrix synthesis. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) plays a role in airway extracellular matrix remodeling. The correlation between CTGF and MMP in airway remodeling of asthma was unknown. This study investigated lung CTGF expression and its correlation with MMP and airway structural changes in a murine model of asthma.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Female BALB/c mice were sensitized and challenged by intraperitoneal injections and intranasal phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or ovalbumin (OVA). Airway responsiveness and serum OVA-specific IgE were measured. Airway structural changes were quantified by morphometric analysis. Differential cell counts and MMP-2, MMP-9, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Lung CTGF was determined by Western blot.

RESULTS

Serum OVA-specific IgE level and airway responsiveness in enhanced pause (Penh) is significantly higher in sensitized mice challenged with OVA compared to PBS-challenged mice. MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1 in BALF were significantly higher in OVA mice. Airway structural changes of animals' lungs with OVA challenge showed increased thickness of the smooth muscle layer and numbers of Goblet cells and inflammatory cells and eosinophils near airways and perivascular areas. Lung CTGF expression significantly increased in OVA-challenged mice. CTGF expressions positively correlated with MMP-9 (r = 0.677, p < 0.05), TIMP-1 (r = 0.574, p < 0.05) and thickness of the smooth muscle layer (r = 0.499, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that CTGF upregulation correlates with MMP-9, probably involved in the pathogenesis of airway remodeling of asthma.

Urinary Calcium Excretion and Risk of Chronic Kidney Disease in the General Population

Introduction

High urinary calcium excretion (UCaE) has been shown to lead to accelerated renal function decline in individuals with renal tubular diseases. It is not known whether this association also exists in the general population. Therefore, we investigated whether high UCaE is associated with risk of developing chronic kidney disease (CKD) in community-dwelling subjects.

Methods

Urine samples of 5491 subjects who were free of CKD at baseline and participated in the Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease study (a prospective, observational, general population-based cohort of Dutch men and women aged 28–75 years) were examined for UCaE. UCa concentration was measured in two 24-hour urine samples at baseline (1997–1998) by indirect potentiometry. UCaE was treated as a continuous variable and a categorical variable grouped according to sex-specific quintiles for UCaE. UCaE was compared with de novo development of estimated glomerular filtration rate <60 ml/min per 1.73 m² and/or albuminuria >30 mg/24 h.

Results

Baseline median UCaE was 4.13 mmol/24 h for men and 3.52 mmol/24 h for women. During a median follow-up of 10.3 years, 899 subjects developed CKD. After multivariable adjustment, every 1 mmol/24 h higher baseline UCaE was associated with a 6% lower risk for incident CKD during follow-up (hazard ratio: 0.94 [0.88–0.99], P = 0.02). The association was shown to be significantly nonlinear, with highest risk of CKD in the lowest quintile for UCaE (hazard ratio: 1.28 [0.97–1.68], P = 0.09). There was no association between UCaE and mortality or cardiovascular health during follow-up, suggesting that this association was not a reflection of poor nutritional intake due to bad health.

Discussion

These findings indicate that high UCaE does not increase risk of CKD, but rather that low UCaE may be harmful.

Soy-based renoprotection

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem as risk factors such as advanced age, obesity, hypertension and diabetes rise in the global population. Currently there are no effective pharmacologic treatments for this disease. The role of diet is important for slowing the progression of CKD and managing symptoms in later stages of renal insufficiency. While low protein diets are generally recommended, maintaining adequate levels of intake is critical for health. There is an increasing appreciation that the source of protein may also be important. Soybean protein has been the most extensively studied plant-based protein in subjects with kidney disease and has demonstrated renal protective properties in a number of clinical studies. Soy protein consumption has been shown to slow the decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate and significantly improve proteinuria in diabetic and non-diabetic patients with nephropathy. Soy’s beneficial effects on renal function may also result from its impact on certain physiological risk factors for CKD such as dyslipidemia, hypertension and hyperglycemia. Soy intake is also associated with improvements in antioxidant status and systemic inflammation in early and late stage CKD patients. Studies conducted in animal models have helped to identify the underlying molecular mechanisms that may play a role in the positive effects of soy protein on renal parameters in polycystic kidney disease, metabolically-induced kidney dysfunction and age-associated progressive nephropathy. Despite the established relationship between soy and renoprotection, further studies are needed for a clear understanding of the role of the cellular and molecular target(s) of soy protein in maintaining renal function.

Role of phytochemicals in the inhibition of epithelial–mesenchymal transition in cancer metastasis

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) development is controlled by several signaling pathways including Hedgehog, Wnt, fibroblast growth factors (FGF), hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF),etc. Phytochemicals is very promising therapeutic candidate that inhibit the progression of EMT by inhibiting the signaling pathways.

The roles of connective tissue growth factor in the development of anastomotic esophageal strictures

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to investigate the roles of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in the development of anastomotic strictures after surgical repair of the esophagus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Tissues collected from the patients were divided into three groups based on the results of endoscopy and clinical grading. Patients without dysphagia after esophagectomy were used as the control population. The protein levels of CTGF, TGF-β1, Smad2, and Smad4 were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and western blot analyses, while the mRNA levels of the two growth factors were evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, significantly increased (p < 0.01) levels of CTGF and TGF-β1 protein were observed in the anastomotic stenosis (AS) group, and levels of the two proteins detected by the IHC and western blot analyses were also significantly increased with the increasing severity of stenosis (p < 0.05). The mRNA levels of CTGF and TGF-β1 in the tissues collected from the patients with stenosis were significantly up-regulated (p < 0.05) as compared with those from the control group. In addition, the levels of Smad2 and Smad4 protein were also significantly increased (p < 0.05) with the increasing severity of stenosis, and the protein levels were positively correlated with the levels of CTGF (r = 0.59, p < 0.05) and TGF-β1 (r = 0.63, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Inhibition of CTGF protein or mRNA expression may be a distinctive and effective therapy for the treatment of postoperative anastomotic strictures.

Parathyroid hormone induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition via the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in human renal proximal tubular cells

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been shown to play an important role in renal fibrogenesis. Recent studies suggested parathyroid hormone (PTH) could accelerate EMT and subsequent organ fibrosis. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying PTH-induced EMT remain unknown. The present study was to investigate whether Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is involved in PTH-induced EMT in human renal proximal tubular cells (HK-2 cells) and to determine the profile of gene expression associated with PTH-induced EMT. PTH could induce morphological changes and gene expression characteristic of EMT in cultured HK-2 cells. Suppressing β-catenin expression or DKK1 limited gene expression characteristic of PTH-induced EMT. Based on the PCR array analysis, PTH treatment resulted in the up-regulation of 18 genes and down-regulation of 9 genes compared with the control. The results were further supported by a western blot analysis, which showed the increased Wnt4 protein expression. Wnt4 overexpression also promotes PTH-induced EMT in HK-2 cells. The findings demonstrated that PTH-induced EMT in HK-2 cells is mediated by Wnt/β-catenin signal pathway, and Wnt4 might be a key gene during PTH-induced EMT.