• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.189-193
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• 2003

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of baicalein, a major flavone component of Scutellaria balicalensis Georgi, on oxidant-induced cell injury in renal epithelial cells. Opossum kidney cells, an established proximal tubular epithelial cells, were used as a cell model of renal epithelial cells and t-butylhydroperoxide (tBHP) as an oxidant drug model. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay and lipid peroxidation was estimated by measuring the content of malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation. Exposure of cells to tBHP caused cell death and its effect was dose-dependent over concentration range of 0.1~1.0 mM. When cells were exposed to tBHP in the presence of various concentrations (0.1~10 $\mu$M) of baicalein, tBHP-induced cell death was prevented with a manner dependent of baicalein concentration. tBHP induced A TP depletion, which was significantly prevented by baicalein. Similarly, tBHP-induced DNA damage was prevented by baicalein. tBHP produced a marked increase in lipid peroxidation and its effect was completely inhibited by baicalein. These results indue ate that tBHP induces cell injury through a lipid peroxidation-dependent mechanism in renal epithelial cells, and baicalein prevented oxidant-induced cell injury via antioxidant action inhibiting lipid peroxidation. In addition, these results suggest that baicalein may be a candidate for development of drugs which are effective in preventing and treating renal diseases.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.46-54
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• 2010

Ceramide induces cell death in a variety of cell types however, the underlying molecular mechanisms related to renal epithelial cells remain unclear. The present study was undertaken to determine the role of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in ceramide-induced cell death in renal epithelial cells. An established renal proximal tubular cell line of opossum kidney (OK) cells was used for this research. Ceramide induced apoptotic cell death in these cells. Western blot analysis showed that ceramide induced activation of ERK. The ERK activation and cell death induced by ceramide were prevented by the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Ceramide caused cytochrome C release from mitochondria into the cytosol as well as activation of caspase-3. Both effects were prevented by PD98059. The ceramide-induced cell death was also prevented by a caspase inhibitor. These results suggest that ceramide induces cell death through an ERK-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in OK cells.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2005

The molecular mechanism of ischemia/reperfusion injury remains unclear. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in cell death caused by ischemia/reperfusion in vivo or hypoxia in vitro. Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) activation has been reported to be involved in hydrogen peroxide-induced cell death in renal epithelial cells. This study was therefore undertaken to evaluate the role of P ARP activation in chemical hypoxia in opossum kidney (OK) cells. Chemical hypoxia was induced by incubating cells with antimycin A, an inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport. Exposure of OK cells to chemical hypoxia resulted in a time-dependent cell death. In OK cells subjected to chemical hypoxia, the generation of ROS was increased, and this increase was prevented by the $H_2O_2$ scavenger catalase. Chemical hypoxia increased P ARP activity and chemical hypoxia-induced cell death was prevented by the inhibitor of PARP activation 3-aminobenzamide. Catalase prevented OK cell death induced by chemical hypoxia. $H_2O_2$ caused PARP activation and $H_2O_2-induced$ cell death was prevented by 3-aminobenzamide. Taken together, these results indicate that chemical hypoxia-induced cell injury is mediated by PARP activation through H202 generation in renal epithelial cells.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2006

Osteopontin (OPN) is a glycosylated phosphoprotein which mediates cell adhesion and migration, and is produced by bone, macrophages, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells. The many regulatory functions of OPN include bone remodeling, tumor invasion, wound repair, and promotion of cell survival. It is produced by renal tubular epithelial cells, and expression is upregulated in glomerulonephritis, hypertension, ischemic acute renal failure, renal ablation, and UUO. In this review, we discuss about osteopontin in general aspect, expression, role on the development and pathologic condition of neonatal kidney.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.383-388
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• 2014

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is associated with a high frequency of metastasis and only few therapies substantially prolong survival. Honokiol, isolated from Magnolia spp. bark, has been shown to exhibit pleiotropic anticancer effects in many cancer types. However, whether honokiol could suppress RCC metastasis has not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we found that honokiol suppressed renal cancer cells' metastasis via dual-blocking epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cell (CSC) properties. In addition, honokiol inhibited tumor growth in vivo. It was found that honokiol could upregulate miR-141, which targeted ZEB2 and modulated ZEB2 expression. Honokiol reversed EMT and suppressed CSC properties partly through the miR-141/ZEB2 axis. Our study suggested that honokiol may be a suitable therapeutic strategy for RCC treatment.

• BMB Reports
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.116-121
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• 2024

We investigated the therapeutic potential of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (BMSC-CM) on immortalized renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (RPTEC/TERT1) in a fibrotic environment. To replicate the increased stiffness characteristic of kidneys in chronic kidney disease, we utilized polyacrylamide gel platforms. A stiff matrix was shown to increase α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) levels, indicating fibrogenic activation in RPTEC/TERT1 cells. Interestingly, treatment with BMSC-CM resulted in significant reductions in the levels of fibrotic markers (α-SMA and vimentin) and increases in the levels of the epithelial marker E-cadherin and aquaporin 7, particularly under stiff conditions. Furthermore, BMSC-CM modified microRNA (miRNA) expression and reduced oxidative stress levels in these cells. Our findings suggest that BMSC-CM can modulate cellular morphology, miRNA expression, and oxidative stress in RPTEC/TERT1 cells, highlighting its therapeutic potential in fibrotic kidney disease.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.533-540
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• 2023

Sweroside is a natural monoterpene derived from Swertia pseudochinensis Hara. Recently, studies have shown that sweroside exhibits a variety of biological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and hypoglycemic effects. However, its role and mechanisms in high glucose (HG)-induced renal injury remain unclear. Herein, we established a renal injury model in vitro by inducing human renal tubular epithelial cell (HK-2 cells) injury by HG. Then, the effects of sweroside on HK-2 cell activity, inflammation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) were observed. As a result, sweroside treatment ameliorated the viability, inhibited the secretion of inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and VCAM-1), reduced the generation of ROS, and inhibited EMT in HK-2 cells. Moreover, the protein expression of SIRT1 was increased and the acetylation of p65 NF-kB was decreased in HK-2 cells with sweroside treatment. More importantly, EX527, an inhibitor of SIRT1, that inactivated SIRT1, abolished the improvement effects of sweroside on HK-2 cells. Our findings suggested that sweroside may mitigate HG-caused injury in HK-2 cells by promoting SIRT1-mediated deacetylation of p65 NF-kB.

• Applied Microscopy
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.131-160
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• 1987

Anatomical features of the renal papilla and pelvis and ultrastructures of the epithelium covering these areas in four species of mammals were studied by means of light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. In terms of the morphology of mammalian kidney types distinguished by Sperber(1944), Pfeiffer(1968) and Schmidt-Nielsen(1977), the kidneys of animal species used in this experiment were; 1) the mouse kidney with the fornix between a long conical papilla and the funnel-shaped pelvis, 2) the guinea pig kidney with the peripelvic column and pelvic pouch between a short conical papilla and the funnel-shaped pelvis, 3) the dog kidney with the peripelvic column and pelvic pouch between the crest-shaped papilla and the funnel-shaped pelvis, and 4) the cattle kidney which is divided into multiple renculi with minor and major calyces and pelvis. The renal papilla was lined with the simple or pseudostratified columnar epithelium which covered the inner zone of the renal medulla. The epithelial cells with numerous short microvilli on the surface contained a few organelles. In the mouse, the fornix was lined with one to two cell-layered cuboidal epithelium which covered the outer zone of the renal medulla and a part of the cortex. The epithelial cells of the fornix with numerous short microvilli or microridges on the surface had well-developed organelles. In the guinea pig, the peripelvic column was lined with the simple cuboidal or low columnar epithelium which covered the outer zone of the renal medulla. The epithelial cells with numerous short microvilli on the surface contained well-developed organelles. The pelvic pouch was lined with the pseudostratified columnar epithelium which was composed of four kinds of cells; the secretory cell with small electron-dense granules (310 nm), the secretory cell with large granules (720 nm) showing various electron densities, the mitochondria-rich cell with a single cilium, and the basal cell. Pelves of the mouse and guinea pig, peripelvic column, pelvic pouch and pelvis of the dog, and minor and major calyces and pelvis of the cattle were lined with the transitional epithelium. The fusiform vesicles in the superficial cells of the epithelium were highly developed in the dog, relatively well developed in the mouse and guinea pig, and poorly developed in the cattle. From the above findings, it is suggested that the transport of solutes and water of the urine in the pelvic cavity can take place through the epithelia covering the renal papilla and fornix of the mouse, papilla and peripelvic column of the guinea pig, and papillae of the dog and the cattle. And specialized cell types in the epithelium of the guinea pig pelvic pouch, two kinds of secretory cells and mitochondria-rich cell with a single cilium, could have peculiar functions in the renal pelvis, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.663-669
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of vitamin E on the histochemical change of kidney tissue in diabetic rats. Sprague Dawley male rats weighing 100$\pm$10g were randomly assigned to one normal and three STZ induced diabetic groups, which were subdivided into vitamin E free diet(DM 0E group), 40mg vitamin E per kg diet(DM 40E group) and 400mg vitamin E per kg diet(DM 400E group). Vitamin E level of normal group was 40mg per kg diet. Diabetes was exper imentally induced by intravenous injection of 55mg/kg of body weight of streptozotocin(STZ) in citrate buffer(pH 4.3) after 4 weeks feeding of experimental diets. Animals were sacrificed at the 6th day of diabetic states. The contents of thiobarbituric acid(TBARS) in kidney were increased 119%, 84% and 33% in DM 0E, DM 40E and DM 400E groups, respectively, compared to normal group. That of DM 400E group was decreased 39% compared to DM 0E group. Content of 2 microglobulin in urine in DM 0E, DM 40E, and DM 400E groups were increased by 248%, 181%, and 164%, respectively, compared to normal group. The diabetic groups showed the regressive lesion such as renal tubule, intumescence of epithelial cell, vacuolization. The results of the observation through electronic microscope showed the mitochondria shape of proximal tubule epithelial cell, irregular array, increase of ribosome, and irregular arrangement of small villosity, etc. These types of changes appeared severer in DM 0E group than in DM 400E group. These results indicate that the TBARS productions on kdney in STZ induced diabetic rats were increased, consequently those leaded to damage of renal tubule and minuteness structure. But a large quantity vitimin E supplementation was suppressed in TBARS production and improved in peroxidative damage of renal tissue so that relieved degenerative changes of renal tubule epithelial cell.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.251-256
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• 2002

This study was undertaken to determine the underlying mechanisms of reactive oxygen species-induced cell injury in renal epithelial cells and whether there is a difference in the role of lipid peroxidation between freshly isolated renal cells and cultured renal cells. Rabbit renal cortical slices were used as a model of freshly isolated cells and opossum kidney (OK) cells as a model of cultured cells. Cell injury was estimated by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in renal cortical slices and frypan blue exclusion in OK cells. $H_2O$$_2$ was used as a drug model of reactive oxygen species. $H_2O$$_2$ induced cell injury in a dose-dependent manner in both cell types. However, renal cortical slices were resistant to $H_2O$$_2$ approximately 50-fold than OK cells. $H_2O$$_2$-induced cell injury was prevented by thiols (glutathione and dithiothreitol) and iron chelators (deferoxamine and phenanthroline) in both cell types. $H_2O$$_2$-induced cell injury in renal cortical slices was completely prevented by antioxidants N,N-diphenyl-p -phenylenediamine and Trolox, but the cell injury was not affected by these antioxidants in OK cells. $H_2O$$_2$ increased lipid peroxidation in both cell types, which was completely inhibited by the antioxidants. These results suggest that $H_2O$$_2$ induces cell injury through a lipid peroxidation-dependent mechanism in freshly isolated renal cells, but via a mechanism independent of lipid peronidation in cultured cells.