芪参地黄颗粒对实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力大鼠B细胞介导的免疫机制研究

摘要 目的：探讨芪参地黄颗粒对实验性自身免疫性重症肌无力（EAMG）大鼠B细胞介导的免疫机制。方法：通过Rα97-116肽段和完全弗氏佐剂免疫,成功将30只Lewis大鼠构建EAMG模型,将EAMG大鼠随机分为模型组、芪参地黄颗粒低、中、高剂量组和阳性药组,每组6只。进一步观察大鼠体重及临床症状,检测血清中乙酰胆碱受体抗体（AChR-Ab）含量、脾脏组织CD19和CD27的蛋白表达、B淋巴细胞刺激因子（BAFF）、B细胞趋化因子CXC配体13（CXCL13）、C-X-C趋化因子受体5型（CXCR5） mRNA表达。结果：经给药治疗后芪参地黄颗粒低、中、高剂量组和阳性药组与模型组相比体重增加（P＜0.05）,临床症状评分均下降（P＜0.05）。经给药治疗后,与模型组相比,芪参地黄颗粒低、中、高剂量组血清中AChR-Ab含量均降低（P<0.05）,芪参地黄颗粒中、高剂量组脾脏组织CD27蛋白表达、CD19蛋白表达和BAFF mRNA表达降低（P＜0.05）,芪参地黄颗粒高剂量组脾脏组织CXCL13和CXCR5 mRNA表达降低（P＜0.05）,且芪参地黄颗粒中、高剂量组脾脏组织CD19蛋白表达较阳性药组下降（P＜0.05）。结论：芪参地黄颗粒通过降低EAMG大鼠CD19和CD27蛋白、BAFF、CXCL13和CXCR5 mRNA的表达,减少B细胞的分化增殖,抑制B细胞产生AChR-Ab,减少对乙酰胆碱受体的破坏,使EAMG大鼠体重增加,临床症状得到改善。     

阿魏酸对糖尿病大鼠肾脏足细胞nephrin、podocin蛋白表达的影响

目的：研究阿魏酸（FA）对链脲佐菌素（STZ）致糖尿病大鼠肾脏足细胞损伤的影响,并探讨其可能的机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠尾静脉一次性注射STZ （40 mg/kg,i.v.）,72 h后将血糖高于16.7 mmol/L者视为糖尿病造模成功,将其随机分为模型组、阿魏酸组,每组10只;另取10只雄性SD大鼠作为对照组;阿魏酸组（100 mg/kg,i.g.,qd）,从大鼠血糖升高第5周开始给药,连续8周。测定空腹血糖、体重、肾脏脏器系数、血清尿素氮、肌酐含量;HE染色观察肾组织病理变化;免疫组化测定肾组织nephrin、podocin蛋白表达。结果：与对照组比较,模型组肾脏脏器系数增大,肾功能下降;病理学显示肾脏细胞萎缩,排列不整齐,并伴有间质增生;足细胞nephrin、podocin蛋白表达明显减少,阿魏酸组明显改善上述指标。结论：阿魏酸具有改善STZ致糖尿病大鼠肾脏功能的作用,其机制可能与上调肾脏足细胞nephrin、podocin蛋白表达有关。     

纤溶系统对膜性肾病大鼠足细胞损伤的影响

目的探讨早期预防纤溶紊乱对防止MN进展有重要意义。方法按改良Border法制作MN大鼠模型,正式免疫第1、2、3、4周末检测全血uPA、tPA及PAI-1的表达水平;取大鼠肾组织进行光镜、电镜观察肾组织病理学改变;采用免疫组化方法检测肾足细胞nephrin、WTl蛋白表达含量,并进行相关性分析。结果与正常组及干预组大鼠相比,模型组大鼠的全血uPA、tPA水平明显减少,而PAI-1水平明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);电镜显示肾小球足细胞广泛足突融合至消失;GBM基质出现"钉样突起",肾间质纤维化程度较重。肾小球足细胞分布区WT-1和nephrin蛋白表达下调,其中nephrin蛋白表达量变化有统计学意义(P0.01)。相关性分析显示,大鼠全血tPA和uPA水平与肾组织nephrin蛋白的表达变化呈正相关,全血PAI-1水平与肾组织nephrin蛋白的表达变化呈现负相关。结论在MN发展中,纤溶系统对足细胞损伤凋亡具有重要意义,早期评估预测MN足细胞损伤情况或可为防治早期MN步入终末期肾脏病找到又一治疗靶点,亦可为临床研究治疗MN的药物提供新的思路。     

人参皂苷Rh2对大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞Siah-1、Synaptophysin、MMP9及VEGF表达的影响

摘要 目的：探讨人参皂苷Rh2对大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞Siah-1、突触素（Synaptophysin）、基质金属蛋白酶-9（MMP-9）血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）表达的影响。方法：将大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞分为对照组、人参皂苷Rh2低剂量组（16 μg/mL）、人参皂苷Rh2中剂量组（32 μg/mL）、人参皂苷Rh2高剂量组（48 μg/mL），CCK-8法和平板克隆实验检测细胞增殖；流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡；Transwell检测细胞侵袭；实时荧光定量-聚合酶链式反应（qRT-PCR）检测C6胶质瘤细胞中VEGF、Siah-1、Synaptophysin、MMP-9 mRNA表达；蛋白质印迹法（Western blot）检测C6胶质瘤细胞中VEGF、Siah-1、Synaptophysin、MMP-9蛋白表达。结果：与对照组比较，人参皂苷Rh2低剂量组、人参皂苷Rh2中剂量组、人参皂苷Rh2高剂量组大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞OD₄₅₀值（24 h、48 h）、克隆形成率、细胞侵袭数、VEGF、Synaptophysin、MMP-9 mRNA及蛋白表达降低，细胞凋亡率、Siah-1 mRNA及蛋白表达升高，且呈剂量依赖性（P<0.05）。结论：人参皂苷Rh2可能通过上调Siah-1，下调VEGF、Synaptophysin、MMP-9表达来抑制大鼠C6胶质瘤细胞增殖与侵袭，促进细胞凋亡。     

苍耳子对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎大鼠炎症反应、NLRP3炎症小体及JAK2STAT3信号通路的影响

摘要 目的：探讨苍耳子对慢性鼻-鼻窦炎大鼠炎症反应、NLRP3炎症小体及JAK2STAT3信号通路的影响。方法：选择清洁级SD大鼠40只作为研究对象。将40只大鼠随机分为5组。采用鼻腔内注射金黄色葡萄球菌悬浊液的方法构建慢性鼻-鼻窦炎大鼠模型。空白对照组（8只）、模型组（8只）、低剂量组（7.5 mg/kg,8只）、中剂量组（15 mg/kg,8只）和高剂量组（30 mg/kg,8只）。采用埋藏食物小球实验进行嗅觉功能检查,采用qRC-PCR检测JAK2/STAT3信号通路和NLRP3、ACS、caspase-1的mRNA表达水平并采用ELISA法检查大鼠血液样本中肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）和IL-1β、IL-18的表达水平。结果：建模前,各组大鼠找到食物小球的时间比较（P＞0.05）;治疗后7 d和治疗完成时,与对照组相比,模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组找到食物小球的时间明显更长（P＜0.05）,高剂量组找到食物小球的时间明显短于模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组JAK2 mRNA、STAT3 mRNA相对表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）,高剂量组JAK2 mRNA、STAT3 mRNA相对表达水平明显低于模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-18表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）,高剂量组TNF-α、IL-1β、IL-18表达水平明显低于模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组（P＜0.05）。与对照组相比,模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组和高剂量组NLRP3 mRNA、ACS mRNA、caspase-1 mRNA相对表达水平明显更高（P＜0.05）,高剂量组NLRP3 mRNA、ACS mRNA、caspase-1 mRNA相对表达水平明显低于模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组（P＜0.05）。结论：CRS大鼠采用苍耳子挥发油进行治疗可通过调控JAK2/STAT3信号通路的表达和NLRP3炎症小体的表达,从而抑制下游炎症因子的过度分泌,最终为缓解CRS病情和改善嗅觉功能做出贡献。     

降浊四妙散通过降低血尿酸水平及抑制NLRP3炎症小体对大鼠高尿酸血症及其肾损伤的改善作用研究

摘要 目的：探究降浊四妙散通过降低血尿酸水平及抑制NLRP3炎症小体对大鼠高尿酸血症及其肾损伤的改善作用。方法：将28只SD大鼠随机分为对照组、氧酸钾（OA）模型组、OA+SMS组、OA+别嘌醇组,其中,SMS的剂量基于实验动物物质管理标准（每公斤体重成人剂量的10倍）;别嘌醇溶解在OA+别嘌醇组的饮用水中（浓度,150 mg/L）;对照组和OA组给予等量的蒸馏水（胃内容量控制在2 mL/d）,持续7周。探讨SMS对肾线粒体活性氧(ROS)和氧化应激(OS)产物、NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1轴的蛋白表达。结果：（1）对照组、OA模型和治疗组的数据存在显著差异（P<0.05）。在第7周结束时,模型组总尿酸排泄量显著高于对照组（P<0.05）,SZF组和别嘌醇组显著高于OA组（P<0.05）。（2）与对照组相比,OA组的BUN和Scr水平显著升高（P<0.05）,而接受SMS和别嘌醇治疗大鼠的BUN和Scr水平下降（P<0.05）。（3）肾组织结构中,对于OA+SZF和OA+别嘌呤醇组,肾近端肾小管上皮细胞肿胀、空泡变性和炎性细胞浸润减少。（4）OA诱导的高尿酸血症大鼠肾组织中氧化应激指标均升高（P＜0.05）;即超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）、过氧化氢酶（CAT）和谷胱甘肽过氧化物酶之间存在显著的不平衡,而SMS和别嘌醇干预可显著回复以上氧化应激反应指标的动态平衡（P＜0.05）。（5）OA组大鼠肾组织中TXNIP mRNA和蛋白表达显著高于其他组（P<0.05）,而SMS和别嘌醇有效抑制TXNIP mRNA 和蛋白表达（P<0.05）;高尿酸血症大鼠NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1 轴中的mRNA和蛋白质表达升高（P<0.05）。SMS干预后组NLRP3-ASC-caspase-1轴的激活显著被抑制（P<0.05）。结论：SMS通过降低高尿酸血症实验大鼠肾脏中血尿酸水平,进而减轻肾损害,同时其可抑制线粒体ROS触发的NLRP3炎性体激活来减轻肾小管损伤和炎症浸润。     

补肝健腰方对于腰椎间盘退变模型组织中bFGF、TGF-β1、BMP-3表达影响的实验研究

摘要 目的：探讨补肝健腰方对大鼠腰椎间盘退变模型中碱性成纤维细胞生长因子（bFGF）、转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、骨形态发生蛋白-3（BMP-3）表达的影响。方法：取SD大鼠90只，随机分为正常对照组、假手术组、模型组、低、中、高剂量补肝健腰方组，每组各15只，正常对照组不予处理，假手术组仅暴露椎间盘而不做椎间盘穿刺，余四组制备大鼠腰椎间盘退变模型，造模成功后，分别给予低、中、高剂量补肝健腰方组低、中、高剂量补肝健腰方药液灌胃；正常对照组、假手术组、模型组给予等量生理盐水灌胃，检测各组干预前、20 d后、40 d后椎间盘TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3含量。结果：与正常对照组及假手术组相比，模型组及补肝健腰方各剂量组干预前TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达均上升（P＜0.05） , 干预20 d、40 d后补肝健腰方各剂量组TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达上升（P＜0.05）。与模型组相比，补肝健腰方各剂量组干预前TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的含量未见明显变化（P>0.05），干预20 d后补肝健腰方各剂量TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达均下降（P＜0.05），干预40 d后补肝健腰方高剂量组与中剂量组TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达下降更为明显（P＜0.05），低剂量组中TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达也下降（P＜0.05）。干预40 d后补肝健腰方高剂量组、中剂量组较低剂量组TGF-β1、bFGF mRNA及BMP-3的表达下降更为明显(P＜0.05)。结论：补肝健腰方能降低大鼠腰椎间盘退变模型中bFGF、TGF-β1、BMP-3的表达，促使退变的椎间盘修复，且呈剂量依赖性。     

川陈皮素对脑梗死缺血再灌注大鼠的保护作用及其机制研究

摘要 目的：研究川陈皮素对脑梗死缺血再灌注大鼠的保护作用及其机制。方法：将90只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为空白对照组、假手术组、模型组及低剂量组、中剂量组及高剂量组,每组15只。空白对照组不予以任何处理,模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组及高剂量组其余各组大鼠均采用Long线栓法构建脑梗死缺血再灌注模型,假手术组除了不插入拴线,其他操作和模型组相同。造模后,空白对照组、假手术组及模型组分别予以10 mL/（kg?d）的生理盐水灌胃,低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组分别予以10 mL/（kg?d）、15 mL/（kg?d）、20 mL/（kg?d）川陈皮素灌胃。检测各组大鼠梗死面积以及神经细胞凋亡率,缺氧诱导因子-1α（HIF-1α）、血管内皮生长因子（VEGF）水平,炎症细胞因子水平,B淋巴细胞瘤-2（Bcl-2）,Bcl-2相关X蛋白（Bax）,半胱氨酸天冬氨酸蛋白酶-3（caspase-3）表达情况。结果：模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组梗死面积、神经细胞凋亡率以及HIF-1α、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-β）、Bax mRNA、caspase-3 mRNA水平均高于空白对照组及假手术组;且低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组较模型组低;降低呈剂量依赖性（均P＜0.05）。模型组、低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组VEGF、Bcl-2 mRNA水平均低于空白对照组及假手术组;且低剂量组、中剂量组、高剂量组较模型组高;降低呈剂量依赖性（均P＜0.05）。假手术组梗死面积以及神经细胞凋亡率均高于空白对照组（均P＜0.05）。结论：川陈皮素对脑梗死缺血再灌注大鼠的保护作用明显,其主要机制可能与调控HIF-1α、VEGF、炎症细胞因子以及凋亡相关基因表达有关。     

褪黑素通过改善神经元树突棘可塑性在瑞芬太尼诱发大鼠痛觉过敏机制中的作用

摘要 目的：探究褪黑素通过改善神经元树突棘可塑性在瑞芬太尼诱发大鼠痛觉过敏机制中的作用。方法：30只8~10周龄的SD大鼠（175~200 g）,根据研究目的随机分为三组：对照组（（大鼠足底进行切口手术,生理盐水处理,n=10）,模型组（大鼠足底进行切口手术,静脉滴注瑞芬太尼,n=10）,治疗组（在模型组的基础上行褪黑素处理,n=10）。通过机械诱发痛和热缩足检测不同组处理后2 h、2 d、3 d和7 d大鼠的爪缩回阈值,通过RT-qPCR分析大鼠中IL-1、TNF-α和IL-1β的mRNA表达,通过蛋白印迹检测大鼠体内AMPA和Kalirin-7的蛋白表达,通过观察组织切片比较不同组大鼠的脊柱密度和长度,通过低感光电荷耦合设备的摄像头监视器分析单个神经元的电生理。结果：在第2 h、2 d、3 d和7 d的测试中,相比于对照组,模型组痛缩足阈降低（P<0.05）,热缩足潜伏时间缩短（P<0.05）,IL-1、TNF-α、IL-1β的mRNA表达、AMPA和Kalirin-7的蛋白表达均升高（P<0.05）,脊柱密度、脊柱长度升高（P<0.05）,电流幅度升高（P<0.05）,电流间隔降低（P<0.05）。治疗组较模型组的痛缩足阈升高（P<0.05）,热缩足潜伏时间延长（P<0.05）,IL-1、TNF-α和IL-1β的mRNA表达、AMPA和Kalirin-7的蛋白表达均降低（P<0.05）,脊柱密度、脊柱长度降低（P<0.05）,电流幅度降低（P<0.05）,电流间隔升高（P<0.05）。结论：褪黑素通过抑制AMPA和Kalirin-7的蛋白表达改善神经元树突棘可塑性,从而降低瑞芬太尼诱发的大鼠痛觉过敏。     

黄芪皂苷Ⅱ对STZ诱导的糖尿病大鼠的肾脏保护作用研究

摘要 目的：研究黄芪皂苷Ⅱ（Astragaloside-Ⅱ, AS-Ⅱ）对链脲佐菌素（Streptozocin,STZ）诱导的糖尿病肾病（Diabetic nephrology,DN）大鼠肾脏的保护作用。方法：将8周龄雄性SD（Sprague-Dawley）大鼠随机选取5只作为正常对照组,其余大鼠予腹腔注射55 mg/kg剂量STZ建立糖尿病模型。造模成功的大鼠随机分为模型组与AS-Ⅱ 治疗组,每组5只。AS-Ⅱ 治疗组予AS-Ⅱ 3.2mg/(kgod）连续口服灌胃治疗9周,同时正常对照组和模型组给予等量生理盐水溶液灌胃。第9周末,收集大鼠24 h尿液测定尿微量白蛋白浓度,留取肾脏组织观察肾脏病理改变并检测肾组织中足细胞裂孔隔膜蛋白Nephrin、WT1和caspase-3的表达。结果：与糖尿病模型组比较, AS-Ⅱ 治疗组DN大鼠肾脏病理损伤明显改善, caspase-3表达明显减少,Nephrin和WT1表达增加,尿蛋白排泄减轻( P＜0. 05)。结论：AS-Ⅱ 治疗可改善DN大鼠肾脏足细胞凋亡,降低尿蛋白,具有肾脏保护作用。     

Activated macrophages down-regulate podocyte nephrin and podocin expression via stress-activated protein kinases

The development of proteinuria and glomerulosclerosis in kidney disease is associated with podocyte damage, including down-regulation of nephrin and podocin. Macrophages are known to induce renal injury, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. This study examined macrophage-mediated podocyte damage. Conditioned media (CM) from activated macrophages caused a 50-60% reduction in nephrin and podocin mRNA and protein expression in cultured mouse podocytes and rat glomeruli. This was abolished by a neutralizing anti-TNFα antibody. The addition of recombinant TNFα to podocytes or glomeruli caused a comparable reduction in podocyte nephrin and podocin expression to that of macrophage CM. Inhibition of c-Jun amino terminal kinase (JNK) or p38 kinase abolished the TNFα-induced reduction in nephrin and podocin expression. This study demonstrates that activated macrophages can induce podocyte injury via a TNFα-JNK/p38-dependent mechanism. This may explain, in part, the protective effects of JNK and p38 blockade in experimental kidney disease.     

PKC抑制剂对力竭运动大鼠肾脏裂孔膜蛋白表达的影响*

目的: 观察大鼠在一次性力竭运动后肾脏裂孔膜蛋白的表达水平,探究PKC抑制剂对其蛋白表达水平的影响,揭示PKC在运动性蛋白尿形成中的作用机制。方法: SD雄性大鼠30只随机分为对照组(C)、运动组(E)、运动联合PKC抑制剂组(EPI),每组10只。E组和EPI组大鼠分别进行一次性跑台力竭运动(25 m/min),EPI组大鼠运动前1 d及1 h腹腔注射PKC抑制剂白屈菜红碱(chelerythrine,5 mg/kg),C组和E组注射相应体积的生理盐水。运动后即刻麻醉后,取血液、尿液及肾脏组织,使用化学比色法检测尿蛋白、尿酸、尿糖、血尿素、血尿酸、血糖水平,使用荧光探针法检测肾脏ROS水平,使用Western blot法检测肾脏PKC、Nox2、Nox4、nephrin、podocin蛋白表达。结果: ①与C组相比,E组尿蛋白、尿酸、尿糖、血尿素、血尿酸显著增多(P＜0.05),血糖显著减少(P＜0.01),肾脏ROS生成显著增多(P＜0.01),肾脏nephrin、podocin蛋白表达明显降低(P＜0.05),PKC、Nox2、Nox4蛋白表达明显增多(P＜0.05);②与E组比,EPI组尿蛋白、尿糖、血尿素显著减少(P＜0.05),血糖显著增加(P＜ 0.01),肾脏ROS生成显著降低(P＜0.01),EPI组肾组织中nephrin、podocin蛋白表达明显增加(P＜0.05),PKC、Nox2蛋白表达明显降低(P＜0.05)。结论: 一次性力竭运动通过PKC/NOX/ROS途径使大鼠肾脏裂孔膜蛋白nephrin、podocin表达下调;PKC抑制剂缓解力竭运动导致的肾脏裂孔膜蛋白表达下降,预防运动性蛋白尿的发生。     

Diversities of podocyte molecular changes induced by different antiproteinuria drugs

Nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, and alpha-actinin-4 are important podocyte proteins that help maintain the integrity of the slit diaphragm and prevent proteinuria. Studies have shown that angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, glucocorticoids, and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) have antiproteinuric effects. However, it is still unclear whether these drugs, with different pharmacological mechanisms, lead to a reduction in proteinuria by changing the expression and distribution of these important podocyte proteins. In this study, changes in the expression and distribution of nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, and alpha-actinin-4 were dynamically detected in Adriamycin-induced nephrotic (ADR) rats treated with three different drugs: lisinopril, prednisone, and ATRA. Nephropathy was induced by an intravenous injection of Adriamycin. After Adriamycin injection, rats received lisinopril, prednisone, and ATRA treatment, respectively. Renal tissues were collected at Days 3, 7, 14, and 28. The distribution and the expression of messenger RNA and protein of nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, and alpha-actinin-4 were detected by indirect immunofluorescence, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and Western blotting, respectively. With the intervention of lisinopril, prednisone, and ATRA, changes in the expression of nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP were diverse, which was different from that detected in ADR rats. After lisinopril and prednisone intervention, podocin exhibited prominent earlier changes compared with those of nephrin and CD2AP, whereas CD2AP showed more prominent changes after ATRA intervention. There was no change in the expression of alpha-actinin-4 molecule. In summary, we conclude that the antiproteinuric effects of lisinopril, prednisone, and ATRA were achieved by changes in the expression and distribution of the important podocyte molecules nephrin, podocin, CD2AP, and alpha-actinin-4. The pattern in the change of podocyte molecules after lisinopril and prednisone intervention was similar, but the pattern in the change of podocyte molecules after ATRA intervention was different from that of lisinopril or prednisone intervention.     

Pathological correlations between podocyte injuries and renal functions in canine and feline chronic kidney diseases

Podocytes cover the glomerulus and their adjacent foot processes form a principal barrier called the slit diaphragm. Podocyte dysfunctions, including podocyte loss and slit diaphragm disruptions, induce chronic kidney diseases (CKD). In this study, we analyzed the correlations between podocyte injuries and renal dysfunctions in domestic carnivores. Dogs and cats were divided into normal and CKD groups according to renal histopathology and plasma creatinine values. Immunostaining results showed that linear reactions of slit diaphragm molecules, e.g., nephrin, podocin, and ACTN4, were parallel to glomerular capillaries in all animals. However, in dogs, reactions of nephrin and ACTN4 were changed to a granular pattern in the CKD group, and their intensities significantly decreased with the number of podocytes in the glomerulus. Moreover, the expression of nephrin and ACTN4 negatively correlated with creatinine. Real-time PCR analysis showed that nephrin mRNA expression in the kidneys of CKD dogs was significantly lower than that in normal animals, and negatively correlated with creatinine. Although no significant correlation between renal dysfunction and podocyte injury was detected in cats, histoplanimetric scores of tubulointerstitial lesions in CKD cats were higher than those in both normal cats and diseased dogs. Furthermore, mRNAs of WT1 and SD molecules were detected in urine from CKD animals. In conclusion, podocyte injuries such as podocytopenia and decreased expression of nephrin and ACTN4 in the glomerulus were more strongly correlated with renal dysfunction in dogs than in cats. These findings suggest that the CKD pathogenesis, especially susceptibilities to podocyte injuries, differed between dogs and cats.     

Atractylodis rhizoma water extract attenuates fructose-induced glomerular injury in rats through anti-oxidation to inhibit TRPC6/p-CaMK4 signaling

BackgroundAtractylodis rhizoma, an aromatic herb for resolving dampness, is used to treat Kidney-related edema in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands years. This herb possesses antioxidant effect. However, it is not yet clear how Atractylodis rhizoma prevents glomerular injury through its anti-oxidation.PurposeBased the analysis of Atractylodis rhizoma water extract (ARE) components and network pharmacology, this study was to explore whether ARE prevented glomerular injury via its anti-oxidation to inhibit oxidative stress-driven transient receptor potential channel 6 (TRPC6) and its downstream molecule calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK4) signaling.MethodsLiquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to analyze ARE components. Network pharmacology analysis was preliminarily performed. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given 10% fructose drinking water (100 mL/d) for 16 weeks. ARE at 720 and 1090 mg/kg was orally administered to rats for the last 8 weeks. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in rat kidney cortex were detected, respectively. In rat glomeruli, redox-related factors forkhead box O3 (FoxO3), SOD2 and catalase (CAT), podocyte slit diaphragm proteins podocin and nephrin, cytoskeleton proteins CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) and α-Actinin-4, as well as TRPC6, p-CaMK4 and synaptopodin protein levels were analyzed by Western Blotting. SOD2 and CAT mRNA levels were detected by qRT-PCR.Results36 components were identified in ARE. Among them, network pharmacology analysis indicated that ARE might inhibit kidney oxidative stress. Accordingly, ARE up-regulated nuclear FoxO3 expression, and then increased SOD2 and CAT at mRNA and protein levels in glomeruli of fructose-fed rats. It reduced H₂O₂ and MDA levels, and increased SOD activity in renal cortex of fructose-fed rats. Subsequently, ARE down-regulated TRPC6 and p-CaMK4, and up-regulated synaptopodin in glomeruli of fructose-fed rats. Furthermore, ARE increased podocin and nephrin, as well as CD2AP and α-Actinin-4, being consistent with its reduction of urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and improvement of glomerular structure injury in this animal model.ConclusionsThese results suggest that ARE may prevent glomerular injury in fructose-fed rats possibly by reducing oxidative stress to inhibit TRPC6/p-CaMK4 signaling and up-regulate synaptopodin expression. Therefore, ARE may be a promising drug for treating high fructose-induced glomerular injury in clinic.     

Interaction with podocin facilitates nephrin signaling

Mutations of NPHS1 or NPHS2, the genes encoding for the glomerular podocyte proteins nephrin and podocin, cause steroid-resistant proteinuria. In addition, mice lacking CD2-associated protein (CD2AP) develop a nephrotic syndrome that resembles NPHS mutations suggesting that all three proteins are essential for the integrity of glomerular podocytes. Although the precise glomerular function of either protein remains unknown, it has been suggested that nephrin forms zipper-like interactions to maintain the structure of podocyte foot processes. We demonstrate now that nephrin is a signaling molecule, which stimulates mitogen-activated protein kinases. Nephrin-induced signaling is greatly enhanced by podocin, which binds to the cytoplasmic tail of nephrin. Mutational analysis suggests that abnormal or inefficient signaling through the nephrin-podocin complex contributes to the development of podocyte dysfunction and proteinuria.     

Improvement of membranous nephropathy by inhibition of miR-193a to affect podocytosis via targeting WT1

The objective of this paper was to explore the role and molecular mechanism of miR-193a in membranous nephropathy (MN). Experimental rats and podocytes were randomly divided into four groups: control, MN, miR-NC, and miR-193a inhibitor groups. The relative mRNA level of miR-193a was determined. The mRNA level and protein expression of PODXL, NPHS1, and Notch1 were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. The mRNA level and protein expression of WT1 in podocytes were also determined by RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The relative mRNA level of miR-193a in the MN group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and inhibition of miR-193a inhibited the increase successfully. Inhibition of miR-193a inhibited renal injury, podocyte injury, and tissue cell apoptosis resulting from MN. The expression of PODXL, NPHS1, and Notch1 was decreased in the MN group, while the expression was increased in the miR-193a inhibitor group. WT1 was verified as a target gene of miR-193a and the expression of WT1 increased after inhibition of miR-193a. Inhibition of miR-193a by targeting WT1 could inhibit renal function injury, renal tissue cell apoptosis, and podocytosis.