• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.220-227
• /
• 2010

Puerariae radix (PR) is a popular natural herb and a traditional food in Asia, which has antithrombotic and anti-allergic properties and stimulates estrogenic activity. One of the major side effects of cisplatin is nephrotoxicity, leading to acute renal failure. Recent study has suggested a role of ROS and p53 in renal cell injury by cisplatin. We studied that protective effects of PR on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in rat mesangial cell. Rat mesangial cell was preincubated with PR (50, 100, 150 and 200 ${\mu}g/m{\ell}$) for 12 hr and then treated with 30 ${\mu}M$ cisplatin for 24 hr. Protective effect of PR on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in ECV304 cells was determined using MTT assay, FDA-PI staining, flow cytometric analysis, caspase-3 activity assay, ROS assay and western blot. Our results showed that PR inhibited in cisplatin-induced apoptosis and ROS production in ECV304 cells. Moreover, PR reduced ERK, p38 and JNK activation that increased in cisplatin-treated rat mesangial cell. Furthermore, activation of p53 by cisplatin in rat mesangial cell was inhibited by PR treatment. These results suggest that protective effect of PR on cisplatin-induced apoptosis in rat mesangial cell may be associated with reduction of ERK, p38, JNK, p53 activation.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.88-99
• /
• 2001

Objectives : This study was performed to determine if Orostachys japonicus A. Berger aquacupuncture (OjB) provides the protective effect against the loss of celi viability and DNA damage induced by oxidant in renal proximal tubular cells. Methods : The cell viability was evaluated by a MTT reduction assay and DNA damage was estimated by measuring double stranded DNA breaks in opossum kidney (OK) cells, an established proximal tubular cell line. Lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. Results : $H_2O_2$ increased the loss of cell viability in a time-dependent manner, which were prevented by 0.1% OjB. The protective effect of OjB was dose-dependent over concentration range of 0.05-0.5%. $H_2O_2$ caused ATP depletion and DNA damage, which were prevented by OjB and the hydrogen peroxide scavenger catalase. The loss of cell viability by $H_2O_2$ was not affected by the antioxidant DPPD, but lipid peroxidation by the oxidant was completely inhibited by DPPD. Conclusions : These data suggest that $H_2O_2$-induced death results from a lipid peroxidation-independent mechanism and the protective effect of OjB is not associated with its antioxidant activity.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.167-172
• /
• 2009

The protective effects of Phaleria macrocarpa (PM) against oxidative stress in diabetic rats were investigated. Diabetes was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats using alloxan (150 mg/kg i.p). After the administration of PM fractions for two weeks the diabetic symptoms, nephropathy and renal antioxidant enzymes were evaluated. The results showed that the oral PM treatments reduced blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The PM fractions decreased kidney hypertrophy and diminished blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a lipid peroxidation marker, was increased in diabetic animals, but was suppressed by the PM treatments. In addition, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, and glutathione (GSH) level in the alloxan-induced diabetic rats were significantly decreased compared with those in the normal rats, but were restored by PM treatments. The PM fractions also suppressed the level of MDA in the kidney. In conclusion, the anti hyperglycemic and anti-nephropathy of P. macrocarpa may be correlated to the increased renal antioxidant enzyme activity in the kidney.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.56 no.3
• /
• pp.196-201
• /
• 2023

Renal fibrosis is the final manifestation of chronic kidney disease (CKD) regardless of etiology. Hypoxia-inducible factor-2 alpha (HIF-2α) is an important regulator of chronic hypoxia, and the late-stage renal tubular HIF-2α activation exerts protective effects against renal fibrosis. However, its specific role in progressive renal fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of the long-term tubular activation of HIF-2α on renal function and fibrosis, using in vivo and in vitro models of renal fibrosis. Progressive renal fibrosis was induced in renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) of tetracycline-controlled HIF-2α transgenic (Tg) mice and wild-type (WT) controls through a 6-week adenine diet. Tg mice were maintained on doxycycline (DOX) for the diet period to induce Tg HIF-2α expression. Primary TECs isolated from Tg mice were treated with DOX (5 ㎍/ml), transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (10 ng/ml), and a combination of both for 24, 48, and 72 hr. Blood was collected to analyze creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels. Pathological changes in the kidney tissues were observed using hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and Sirius Red staining. Meanwhile, the expression of fibronectin, E-cadherin and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and the phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) was observed using western blotting. Our data showed that serum Cr and BUN levels were significantly lower in Tg mice than in WT mice following the adenine diet. Moreover, the protein levels of fibronectin and E-cadherin and the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK were markedly reduced in the kidneys of adenine-fed Tg mice. These results were accompanied by attenuated fibrosis in Tg mice following adenine administration. Consistent with these findings, HIF-2α overexpression significantly decreased the expression of fibronectin in TECs, whereas an increase in α-SMA protein levels was observed after TGF-β1 stimulation for 72 hr. Taken together, these results indicate that long-term HIF-2α activation in CKD may inhibit the progression of renal fibrosis and improve renal function, suggesting that long-term renal HIF-2α activation may be used as a novel therapeutic strategy for the treatment of CKD.

• Natural Product Sciences
• /
• v.20 no.4
• /
• pp.251-257
• /
• 2014

Chungsimyeonja-tang (CSYJT) is an herbal decoction that consists with 12 herbal medicines. CSYJT has been shown to have anti-stress, anti-allergic and anti-oxidant effects. The aim of this study was to determine flavonoid contents in CSYJT and evaluate its protective effect against cisplatin induced nephrotoxicity using both in vitro (porcine renal epithelial cell; PK15 cell) and in vivo (Sprague Dawley rat) experiments. In the present study, thee mean contents of baicalin, wogonoside and baicalein in CSYJT were 14.65, 5.27 and 0.02 mg/g, respectively. The CSYJT extract treatment attenuated the following alteration in porcine renal epithelial (PK15) cell: the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), the glutathione depletion and the increase in p53 expression induced by cisplatin treatment. In the in vivo study, rats were orally treated with CSYJT extract once a day for 28 days. Five days before the last treatment, cisplatin (5 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to induce acute renal failure. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (CRE) levels after cisplatin treatment were ameliorated by pretreatment of CSYJT extract. In addition, lipid peroxidation was decreased and antioxidant enzyme (glutathione) was recovered in CSYJT pretreated kidney tissue. In histopathological examination, CSYJT pretreated group showed ameliorated pathological alteration after cisplatin injection with decreased apoptosis. Taken together, pretreatment of CSYJT could ameliorate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.

• Kidney Research and Clinical Practice
• /
• v.36 no.2
• /
• pp.145-157
• /
• 2017

Background: Vitamin D is considered to exert a protective effect on various renal diseases but its underlying molecular mechanism remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine whether paricalcitol attenuates inflammation and apoptosis during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced renal proximal tubular cell injury through the prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) receptor EP4. Methods: Human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells were pretreated with paricalcitol (2 ng/mL) for 1 hour and exposed to LPS ($1{\mu}g/mL$). The effects of paricalcitol pretreatment in relation to an EP4 blockade using AH-23848 or EP4 small interfering RNA (siRNA) were investigated. Results: The expression of cyclooxygenase-2, $PGE_2$, and EP4 were significantly increased in LPS-exposed HK-2 cells treated with paricalcitol compared with cells exposed to LPS only. Paricalcitol prevented cell death induced by LPS exposure, and the cotreatment of AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA offset these cell-protective effects. The phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of p65 nuclear factor-kappaB ($NF-{\kappa}B$) were decreased and the phosphorylation of Akt was increased in LPS-exposed cells with paricalcitol treatment. AH-23848 or EP4 siRNA inhibited the suppressive effects of paricalcitol on p65 $NF-{\kappa}B$ nuclear translocation and the activation of Akt. The production of proinflammatory cytokines and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling-positive cells were attenuated by paricalcitol in LPS exposed HK-2 cells. The cotreatment with an EP4 antagonist abolished these anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects. Conclusion: EP4 plays a pivotal role in anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic effects through Akt and $NF-{\kappa}B$ signaling after paricalcitol pretreatment in LPS-induced renal proximal tubule cell injury.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
• /
• v.38 no.4
• /
• pp.717-722
• /
• 2011

In this study, we investigated the antioxidant activity of hesperidin and hesperetin, which are the active compounds from Citrus junos, in the cellular system. Under cellular model of oxidative damage using LLC-$PK_1$ renal epithelial cell, the oxidative damage induced by 2,2'-azobis (2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH) led to the loss of cell viability, while treatment of hesperidin and hesperetin increased significantly the cell viability as dose-dependent manner. In addition, NO-induced cellular oxidative damage by sodium nitroprusside were significantly recovered by the treatment of hesperidin and hesperetin, showing the increase of cell viability. But hesperidin and hesperetin showed no significant protective effect on $O_2{^-}$-induced cellular oxidative damage. The present study indicates that hesperidin and hesperetin protect against free radical, especially AAPH-induced peroxyl radical. In particular, hesperetin has stronger protective effect against oxidative stress than hesperidin.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.5-11
• /
• 2011

Objectives: The present study was undergone to determine whether Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture intravenous injection exerts beneficial effect against the ischemia-induced acute renal failure in rabbits. Methods: Rabbits were treated with Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture via i.v., followed by renal ischemia/reperfusion. The fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate were measured and the malondialdehyde content was also determined. The morphological changes of cortical part of kidney also observed with light microscope. Results: Renal ischemia/reperfusion caused increase of the fractional excretion of glucose and phosphate in ischemia-induced animals, which was prevented by Radix Glycyrrhizae extract treatment. Ischemia/reperfusion increased lipid peroxidation, which was prevented and morphological changes also altered by Radix Glycyrrhizae pharmacopuncture administration. Conclusions: These results indicate that lipid peroxidation plays a critical role in ischemia-induced acute renal failure and Glycyrrhizae Radix pharmacopuncture exerts the protective effect against acute renal failure induced by renal ischemia/reperfusion.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.169-173
• /
• 2013

Renal ischemia-reperfusion (IR) causes remote liver damage. Oxytocin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the protective function of oxytocin (OT) in remote liver damage triggered by renal IR in rats. Twenty four rats were randomly divided into four different groups, each containing 8 rats. The groups were as follows: (1) Sham operated group; (2) Sham operated+OT group (3) Renal IR group; (4) Renal IR+OT group. OT ($500{\mu}g/kg$) was administered subcutaneously 12 and 24 hours before and immediately after ischemia. At the end of experimental procedure, the rats were sacrificed, and liver specimens were taken for histological assessment or determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), paraoxonase (PON-1) activity and nitric oxide (NO). The results showed that renal IR injury constituted a notable elevation in MDA, TOS, Oxidative stress index (OSI) and significantly decreased TAS, PON-1 actvity and NO in liver tissue (p<0.05). Additionally renal IR provoked significant augmentation in hepatic microscopic damage scores. However, alterations in these biochemical and histopathological indices due to IR injury were attenuated by OT treatment (p<0.05). These findings show that OT ameliorates remote liver damage triggered by renal ischemia-reperfusion and this preservation involves suppression of inflammation and regulation of oxidant-antioxidant status.

• CELLMED
• /
• v.13 no.6
• /
• pp.5.1-5.8
• /
• 2023

Objectives: Cassia occidentalis L. is a weed belonging to the Caesalpiniaceae family. The root of this medicinal plant is used for the treatment of various ailments, including kidney diseases. The present study was aimed at evaluating the nephroprotective effects of HAE of the roots of Cassia occidentalis L. against gentamicininduced renal toxicity in albino Wistar rats. Methods: The renal toxicity was induced by subcutaneous administration of gentamicin at 100 mg/kg in the rats belonging to the disease control and treatment groups from the 4^th to the 8^th day. The rats in the treatment group received HAE of the roots of Cassia occidentalis L. at 67 mg/kg b. w. orally for 8 days, while no treatment was given to the rats in the disease control and plain control groups. At the end of the experiment, renal biomarkers viz; s. creatinine, b. urea, and s. uric acid, were investigated. The histopathological examination of the kidney specimens was also carried out. Results: The results of the present study revealed that renal function biomarkers such as s. creatinine, b. urea, and s. uric acid were significantly reduced in the rats of the treatment group as compared to those of the disease control group. Moreover, the histoarchitecture reports of the treatment group's kidney specimens showed significant improvements. Conclusion: The results suggested that the HAE of Cassia occidentalis L. roots promisingly prevented kidney injury in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic rats. This effect might be due to improved clearance of gentamicin from the renal tubule and decreased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).