scholarly journals JiaWeiDangGui Decoction Ameliorates Proteinuria and Kidney Injury in Adriamycin-Induced Rat by Blockade of TGF-β/Smad Signaling

2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming-gang Wei ◽  
Wei-ming He ◽  
Xun Lu ◽  
Li Ni ◽  
Yan-yu Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Collagen Iv ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Snail Expression ◽  
Smad Signaling ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Adriamycin Nephropathy ◽  
D 20

JiaWeiDangGui (JWDG) decoction has anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects, which is used widely for the treatment of various kidney diseases. In previous studies, we have found that JWDG decoction can reduce the quantity of proteinuria, but the mechanism was unknown. Here, we studied the protective effect of JWDG decoction in adriamycin-induced nephropathy on rat. JWDG decoction, at 10 mL/kg/d, 20 mL/kg/d, and 40 mL/kg/d, was orally administered daily for 12 weeks. Therapeutic effects and mechanisms were further examined. The kidney function related biochemical indexes were measured by automatic biochemistry analyzer. The pathomorphological changes were observed using light and transmission electron microcopies. The proteins expressions of podocin, nephrin, collagen IV, and fibronectin (FN) were examined by immunohistochemical staining, and key proteins involved in TGF-β/Smad signaling were evaluated by RT-PCR and western blotting. Compared with vehicle-treated controls, JWDG decoction decreased the quantity of proteinuria; reduced glomerulosclerotic lesions induced by ADR; and preserved the expression of podocin and nephrin. JWDG decoction also inhibited the expression of the collagen IV, FN, and fibrogenic TGF-β. Further studies revealed that inhibition of renal fibrosis was associated with the blockade of TGF-β/Smad signaling and downregulation of snail expression dose dependently. JWDG decoction prevents proteinuria production, podocyte dysfunction, and kidney injury in adriamycin nephropathy by inhibiting TGF-β/Smad signaling.

scholarly journals Curcumin Attenuates Both Acute and Chronic Immune Nephritis

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 1745 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianfu Wu ◽  
Bindiya Marakkath ◽  
Yujin Ye ◽  
Elhaum Khobahy ◽  
Mei Yan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Natural Food ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Murine Lupus ◽  
Crescent Formation ◽  
Chronic Nephritis ◽  
Immune Mediated ◽  
Disease Induction

Curcumin is known to have immunomodulatory potential in addition to anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic effects. The aim of the present study is to investigate the therapeutic effects of curcumin on immune-mediated renal disease in an anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) model (representing acute kidney Injury, AKI) and murine lupus model (representing chronic kidney disease, CKD). In the AKI model, female anti-GBM 129/svj mice were administered with curcumin right before disease induction. In the CKD model, female MRL.lpr mice at the age of 8-10 weeks old were treated with curcumin or placebo via oral gavage daily for two months. After treatment, serum autoantibody levels, splenomegaly and spleen cellularity were reduced in murine lupus. Collectively, curcumin ameliorated kidney disease in the two mouse models with either acute or chronic nephritis, as marked by reduced proteinuria, blood urea nitrogen, glomerulonephritis, crescent formation, tubule-interstitial disease, and renal infiltration by lymphocytes. In addition, curcumin treatment reduced activation of the NFkB, MAPK, AKT and pBAD pathways either systemically, or within the inflamed kidneys. These findings suggest that natural food supplements could become an alternative approach to ameliorating immune-mediated kidney diseases.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal Stem Cells Loaded with Gelatin Microcryogels Attenuate Renal Fibrosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaodong Geng ◽  
Quan Hong ◽  
Kun Chi ◽  
Shuqiang Wang ◽  
Guangyan Cai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Collagen Iv ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Induced Expression ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Background. The treatment of chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) by different approaches using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has made great strides. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential mechanism of gelatin microcryogels (GMs) as a cell therapeutic vector to block the progression of CKD. Methods. In vivo, the pedicled omentum valve with MSC-loaded GMs was packed onto 5/6 nephrectomized kidneys derived from rats. The therapeutic effects were evaluated. In vitro, TNF-α, TGF-β, and MSCs were added to the medium of the HK-2 cell culture system, and key genes involved in anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis effects were evaluated by qPCR. Results. After 12 weeks of MSC transplantation, kidney functions, such as serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and 24-hour urine protein, were significantly improved. The pedicled omentum valve was packed with MSC-loaded GMs onto the 5/6 nephrectomized kidney, and the expressions of collagen IV, α-SMA, and TGF-β were all evaluated by immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis. MSC-loaded-GMs also showed antifibrotic effects by inducing the upregulation of HO-1, BMP-7, and HGF and the downregulation of MCP-1 at the mRNA level. Four weeks after MSC-loaded GM treatment, we found that the mRNA levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were clearly reduced. MSC-conditional medium (MSC-CM) showed that the TNF-α-induced expression of IL-8 and IL-6 mRNA was reversed; E-cadherin mRNA was upregulated; and the TGF-β-induced expression of collagen IV, α-SMA, and fibronectin (FN) mRNA in HK-2 cells was reduced. Conclusions. We demonstrated that the pedicled omentum valve packed with MSC-loaded GMs had a renal protective effect on the 5/6 nephrectomized kidney by observing the anti-inflammatory and antifibrosis effects.

scholarly journals Mesenchymal stem cells and extracellular vesicles in therapy against kidney diseases

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuling Huang ◽  
Lina Yang
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cells ◽  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Trophic Factors ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Future Clinical Practice ◽  
Important Means ◽  
Preclinical And Clinical Studies

AbstractKidney diseases pose a threat to human health due to their rising incidence and fatality rate. In preclinical and clinical studies, it has been acknowledged that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are effective and safe when used to treat kidney diseases. MSCs play their role mainly by secreting trophic factors and delivering extracellular vesicles (EVs). The genetic materials and proteins contained in the MSC-derived EVs (MSC-EVs), as an important means of cellular communication, have become a research focus for targeted therapy of kidney diseases. At present, MSC-EVs have shown evident therapeutic effects on acute kidney injury (AKI), chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetic nephropathy (DN), and atherosclerotic renovascular disease (ARVD); however, their roles in the transplanted kidney remain controversial. This review summarises the mechanisms by which MSC-EVs treat these diseases in animal models and proposes certain problems, expecting to facilitate corresponding future clinical practice.

scholarly journals Changes of Gut Microbiota in Diabetic Nephropathy and Its Effect on the Progression of Kidney Injury

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kedan Cai ◽  
Yanhong Ma ◽  
Fanghao Cai ◽  
Xiaohan Huang ◽  
Liang Xiao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diabetic Nephropathy ◽  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Protein Expression ◽  
Sodium Butyrate ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Renal Tissue ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Microbial Dysbiosis ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Mtor Protein

Abstract Background: We aimed to illustrate gut microbiota and short chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels in diabetic nephropathy (DN) patients, and investigate the mechanism of sodium butyrate in diabetic mellitus (DM) rats. Methods: Gut microbiota and serum SCFA levels were measured by 16S rDNA and GC-MS respectively. After being built by streptozotocin (DM rats), the DM rats were administered 300mg/kg sodium butyrate for 12 weeks (DM+BU rats). Gut microbiota, serum and fecal butyrate level were measured. RT-PCR, WB and transmission electron microscopy were performed to explore LC3mRNA or LC3B protein expression, and autophagosomes in kidney tissues. AMPK/mTOR protein expression in renal tissue were also measured. Results: The gut microbial dysbiosis was found in DM and DN groups, and some SCFAs-producing bacteria were decreased in DN group. The serum butyrate concentrations were lower in SCFA-DN group compared with SCFA-HC group and SCFA-DM group in the other cohort. Serum butyrate level was positively correlated with eGFR. Sodium butyrate increased serum and fecal butyrate levels, and improved the enlargement of glomerular area and fibronectin and collagen Ⅳ expressions in renal tissues in DM+BU rats. The LC3 mRNA, LC3BⅡ/Ⅰ ratio and number of autophagosomes were increased in renal tissue of DM+BU rats. Higher p-AMPK/AMPK ratio and lower p-mTOR/ mTOR ratio were shown in renal tissue of DM+BU rats compared with DM rats. Conclusions: We found the decrease in SCFAs-producing bacteria and low SCFAs concentrations in DN patients. Oral butyrate supplementation may improve kidney injury in DM rats, possibly by increasing autophagy via activating AMPK/mTOR pathway.

scholarly journals Nephrotoxicity of Herbal Products in Europe—A Review of an Underestimated Problem of Nephrotoxicity of Herbal Products

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (8) ◽  
pp. 4132
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Kiliś-Pstrusińska ◽  
Anna Wiela-Hojeńska
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Herbal Medicines ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Herbal Products ◽  
Chronic Kidney Diseases ◽  
European Origin ◽  
Synthetic Drugs ◽  
The Many ◽  
Pharmacologically Active ◽  
Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicines

Currently in Europe, despite the many advances in production technology of synthetic drugs, the interest in natural herbal medicines continues to increase. One of the reasons for their popular use is the assumption that natural equals safe. However, herbal medicines contain pharmacologically active ingredients, some of which have been associated with adverse effects. Kidneys are particularly susceptible to injury induced by toxins, including poisonous constituents from medicinal plants. The most recognized herb-induced kidney injury is aristolochic acid nephropathy connected with misuse of certain Traditional Chinese herbal medicines. Data concerning nephrotoxicity of plant species of European origin are scarce. Here, we critically review significant data of the nephrotoxicity of several plants used in European phytotherapy, including Artemisia herba-alba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Euphorbia paralias, and Aloe). Causative mechanisms and factors predisposing to intoxications from the use of herbs are discussed. The basic intention of this review is to improve pharmacovigilance of herbal medicine, especially in patients with chronic kidney diseases.

scholarly journals CD73 Overexpression in Podocytes: A Novel Marker of Podocyte Injury in Human Kidney Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7642
Author(s):  
Zoran V. Popovic ◽  
Felix Bestvater ◽  
Damir Krunic ◽  
Bernhard K. Krämer ◽  
Raoul Bergner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Kidney Disease ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Membranous Glomerulonephritis ◽  
Human Kidney ◽  
Protective Role ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Podocyte Injury ◽  
Ccr2 Expression ◽  
Cd73 Expression

The CD73 pathway is an important anti-inflammatory mechanism in various disease settings. Observations in mouse models suggested that CD73 might have a protective role in kidney damage; however, no direct evidence of its role in human kidney disease has been described to date. Here, we hypothesized that podocyte injury in human kidney diseases alters CD73 expression that may facilitate the diagnosis of podocytopathies. We assessed the expression of CD73 and one of its functionally important targets, the C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2), in podocytes from kidney biopsies of 39 patients with podocytopathy (including focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), minimal change disease (MCD), membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) and amyloidosis) and a control group. Podocyte CD73 expression in each of the disease groups was significantly increased in comparison to controls (p < 0.001–p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a marked negative correlation between CD73 and CCR2 expression, as confirmed by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence (Pearson r = −0.5068, p = 0.0031; Pearson r = −0.4705, p = 0.0313, respectively), thus suggesting a protective role of CD73 in kidney injury. Finally, we identify CD73 as a novel potential diagnostic marker of human podocytopathies, particularly of MCD that has been notorious for the lack of pathological features recognizable by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.

scholarly journals Granulomatous interstitial nephritis in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Szajek ◽  
Marie-Elisabeth Kajdi ◽  
Valerie A. Luyckx ◽  
Thomas Hans Fehr ◽  
Ariana Gaspert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Kidney Injury ◽  
Interstitial Nephritis ◽  
Kidney Biopsy ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Maculopapular Rash ◽  
Tubular Injury ◽  
Granulomatous Interstitial Nephritis ◽  
First Case

Abstract Background Acute kidney injury (AKI) associated with severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is common and is a significant predictor of morbidity and mortality, especially when dialysis is required. Case reports and autopsy series have revealed that most patients with COVID-19 – associated acute kidney injury have evidence of acute tubular injury and necrosis - not unexpected in critically ill patients. Others have been found to have collapsing glomerulopathy, thrombotic microangiopathy and diverse underlying kidney diseases. A primary kidney pathology related to COVID-19 has not yet emerged. Thus far direct infection of the kidney, or its impact on clinical disease remains controversial. The management of AKI is currently supportive. Case Presentation The patient presented here was positive for SARS-CoV-2, had severe acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure. Within days of admission to the intensive care unit he developed oliguric acute kidney failure requiring dialysis. Acute kidney injury developed in the setting of hemodynamic instability, sepsis and a maculopapular rash. Over the ensuing days the patient also developed transfusion-requiring severe hemolysis which was Coombs negative. Schistocytes were present on the peripheral smear. Given the broad differential diagnoses for acute kidney injury, a kidney biopsy was performed and revealed granulomatous tubulo-interstitial nephritis with some acute tubular injury. Based on the biopsy findings, a decision was taken to adjust medications and initiate corticosteroids for presumed medication-induced interstitial nephritis, hemolysis and maculo-papular rash. The kidney function and hemolysis improved over the subsequent days and the patient was discharged to a rehabilitation facility, no-longer required dialysis. Conclusions Acute kidney injury in patients with severe COVID-19 may have multiple causes. We present the first case of granulomatous interstitial nephritis in a patient with COVID-19. Drug-reactions may be more frequent than currently recognized in COVID-19 and are potentially reversible. The kidney biopsy findings in this case led to a change in therapy, which was associated with subsequent patient improvement. Kidney biopsy may therefore have significant value in pulling together a clinical diagnosis, and may impact outcome if a treatable cause is identified.

SOX9 is required for kidney fibrosis and activates NAV3 to drive renal myofibroblast function

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (672) ◽  
pp. eabb4282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sayyid Raza ◽  
Elliot Jokl ◽  
James Pritchett ◽  
Katherine Martin ◽  
Kim Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Factor ◽  
Actin Polymerization ◽  
Kidney Diseases ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention ◽  
Kidney Fibrosis ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Vitro Model ◽  
Sustained Activation

Renal fibrosis is a common end point for kidney injury and many chronic kidney diseases. Fibrogenesis depends on the sustained activation of myofibroblasts, which deposit the extracellular matrix that causes progressive scarring and organ failure. Here, we showed that the transcription factor SOX9 was associated with kidney fibrosis in humans and required for experimentally induced kidney fibrosis in mice. From genome-wide analysis, we identified Neuron navigator 3 (NAV3) as acting downstream of SOX9 in kidney fibrosis. NAV3 increased in abundance and colocalized with SOX9 after renal injury in mice, and both SOX9 and NAV3 were present in diseased human kidneys. In an in vitro model of renal pericyte transdifferentiation into myofibroblasts, we demonstrated that NAV3 was required for multiple aspects of fibrogenesis, including actin polymerization linked to cell migration and sustained activation of the mechanosensitive transcription factor YAP1. In summary, our work identifies a SOX9-NAV3-YAP1 axis involved in the progression of kidney fibrosis and points to NAV3 as a potential target for pharmacological intervention.

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