Legumain/asparaginyl endopeptidase controls extracellular matrix remodeling through the degradation of fibronectin in mouse renal proximal tubular cells

Legumain/asparaginyl endopeptidase (EC 3.4.22.34) is a novel cysteine protease that is abundantly expressed in the late endosomes and lysosomes of renal proximal tubular cells. Recently, emerging evidence has indicated that legumain might play an important role in control of extracellular matrix turnover in various pathological conditions such as tumor growth/metastasis and progression of atherosclerosis. We initially found that purified legumain can directly degrade fibronectin, one of the main components of the extracellular matrix, in vitro. Therefore, we examined the effect of legumain on fibronectin degradation in cultured mouse renal proximal tubular cells. Fibronectin processing can be inhibited by chloroquine, an inhibitor of lysosomal degradation, and can be enhanced by the overexpression of legumain, indicating that fibronectin degradation occurs in the presence of legumain in lysosomes from renal proximal tubular cells. Furthermore, in legumain-deficient mice, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal interstitial protein accumulation of fibronectin and renal interstitial fibrosis were markedly enhanced. These findings indicate that legumain might have an important role in extracellular matrix remodeling via the degradation of fibronectin in renal proximal tubular cells.     

Baroreflex sensitivity in obesity: relationship with cardiac autonomic nervous system activity

Objective: The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), assessed by indirect measurement of aortic pressure, is blunted in obesity. Additionally, the potential effect of cardiac autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity, aortic compliance, and metabolic parameters on BRS of obese subjects was investigated. Research Methods and Procedures: A group of 30 women with BMI >30 kg/m² and a group of 30 controls with BMI <25 kg/m² were examined. BRS was estimated by the sequence technique, cardiac ANS activity by short‐term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV), and aortic compliance by the method of applanation tonometry. Results: BRS was lower in obese women (9.18 ± 3.77 vs. 19.63 ± 9.16 ms/mm Hg, p < 0.001). The median values (interquartile range) of the power of both the high‐frequency and low‐frequency components of the HRV were higher in the lean than in the obese participants [1079.2 (202.7 to 1716.9) vs. 224.1 (72.7 to 539.6) msec², p = 0.001 and 411.8 (199.3 to 798.0) vs. 235.8 (99.4 to 424.5) msec², p = 0.01 respectively]. Low‐to‐high‐frequency ratio values were higher in the obese subjects [0.82 (0.47 to 2.1) vs. 0.57 (0.28 to 0.89), p = 0.02]. Aortic augmentation values were not significantly different between lean and obese subjects. Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant and independent association between BRS and age (p = 0.003), BMI (p < 0.001), and high‐frequency power of HRV (p < 0.001). These variables explained 72% of the variation of BRS values. Discussion: BRS is severely reduced in obese subjects. BMI, age, and the parasympathetic nervous system activity are the main determinants of BRS. Baroreflex behavior is of clinical relevance because an attenuated BRS represents a negative prognostic factor in cardiovascular diseases, which are common in obesity.     

酸性成纤维细胞生长因子对庆大霉素和顺铂所致肾小管上皮细胞损伤的保护作用

目的:研究酸性成纤维细胞生长因子(aFGF)对庆大霉素(GM)和顺铂(DDP)引起的体外培养肾小管上皮细胞损害的保护作用。方法:大鼠肾皮质经研磨、过网、胰蛋白酶消化,进行肾小管上皮细胞的体外培养。经Cytokeratin 18抗体进行鉴定后,用GM、DDP建立损伤模型,观察aFGF对损伤的肾小管上皮细胞的保护作用。结果:①经形态学观察、GM或DDP组与对照组比较,CAT、SOD、GSH-Px、Na~ -K~ -ATP酶活性下降,而NAG活性和NO、MDA升高(P<0.01或P<0.05),提示肾小管上皮细胞的培养和GM、DDP损伤的建模成功。②aFGF GM或DDP组与GM组或DDP组比较,大多数生化和酶学指标有显著或非常显著性差异(P<0.05或P<0.01);而aFGF GM或DDP组与对照组比较,CAT、NAG、GSH-Px、Na~ -K~ -ATP酶活性无显著性差异,但SOD活性下降、NO、MDA升高尚有显著性差异(P<0.05)。结论:aFGF对GM、DDP损伤的肾小管上皮细胞有明显的保护作用。     

罗格列酮对果糖饲养SD大鼠肝肾功能、血脂、血常规的影响

目的:了解罗格列酮(Rosiglitazone)处理果糖饲养的SD大鼠后对肝、肾功能,血常规的影响。方法:将24只成年健康SD大鼠随机分为A、B两组。A组持续喂高果糖饲料1月后再随机分为:①高果糖饲养组;②果糖饲养同时用罗格列酮处理组。B组喂标准饲料1月后随机分为:①对照组;②罗格列酮处理组。采用氧化酶法、放免法等技术方法测定大鼠的空腹血糖、血脂、胰岛素水平,肝功能,肾功能,血常规等指标。结果:与对照组相比:果糖饲养组大鼠直接胆红素、总胆红素、间接胆红素、血糖、胰岛素、总胆固醇、甘油三酯等指标均升高;而总蛋白、钾、钠、氯、胰岛素敏感指数等指标均下降,差异均具有统计学意义(P＜0．05)。而罗格列酮处理组中总胆红素、间接胆红素、尿酸和尿素/肌酐等指标均升高;而总蛋白、球蛋白、钾、钠、氨水平、甘油三酯、血常规细胞数、血红蛋白均下降,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0．05)。与果糖饲养组相比,果糖饲养罗格列酮处理组的总胆红素、直接胆红素、谷草转氨酶、间接胆红素、谷丙转氨酶、总胆固醇均升高;而胰岛素、甘油三酯、钙离子水平均下降差异均具有统计学意义,且前面三个指标的差异更明显(P＜0．05)。结论:罗格列酮在治疗过程中虽改善了果糖饲养SD大鼠所引起的胰岛素抵抗,但会加重肝肾功能障碍;对机体有一定的毒副作用。     

尼可地尔联合冠状动脉心脏介入治疗冠心病合并肾功能不全的疗效及对NGAL、Cys-C的影响

摘要 目的：探析冠心病（CHD）合并肾功能不全（RI）应用冠状动脉心脏介入治疗（PCI）联合尼可地尔的临床疗效及对胱抑素C（Cys-C）、中性粒细胞明胶酶相关脂质运载蛋白（NGAL）影响。方法：选择本院2019年6月~2021年6月就诊的86例CHD合并RI患者,随机数字表法分为两组各43例。 两组均实施PCI治疗,对照组实施常规静脉水化处理,观察组联合尼可地尔治疗。对比两组PCI治疗前后24 h肾功能指标（Cys-C、NGAL）、血清炎性因子指标（高敏C反应蛋白 (hs-CRP)、白细胞介素 6 (IL-6)）、心肌损伤指标（心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）及肌酸激酶同工酶（CK-MB））、并发症发生率。结果：观察组CIN发生率（2.33%）、MACE率（2.33%）均明显低于对照组（16.28%、13.95%）,有统计学差异（P<0.05）。两组PCI治疗前Cys-C、NGAL、hs-CRP、IL-6、cTnI、CK- MB无统计学差异（P<0.05）。治疗后观察组Cys-C、NGAL、hs-CRP、IL-6升高幅度、组cTnI、CK- MB明显低于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：PCI 联合尼可地尔应用于CHD合并RI临床治疗效果显著,可有效改善患者肾功能,降低炎症反应、心肌损伤,预防CIN发生。     

氯沙坦联合螺内酯对预N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯诱导高血压模型大鼠肾脏纤维化及心室重塑的影响

摘要 目的：探讨氯沙坦联合螺内酯对预N-硝基-L-精氨酸甲酯（N''-nitro-L-arginine-methylesterhydrochloride,L-NAME）诱导高血压模型大鼠肾脏纤维化及心室重塑的影响。方法：选择8周龄Wistar大鼠为研究对象,通过给予0.1 %的L-NAME饮用水诱导高血压模型。将大鼠根据随机数字表法分为三组：对照组,诱导组和联合治疗组。通过超声心动图比较室间隔厚度和左心室后壁厚度。CODATM8无创血压系统监测大鼠心脏功能。通过蛋白印迹分析大鼠肾切片中I型胶原、III型胶原和CTGF的蛋白表达。Masson的三色染色评估肾脏组织胶原含量沉积。通过RT-PCR分析大鼠心脏肥大标志物和转录因子心房利钠肽（Atrial natriuretic peptide,ANP）和脑利钠肽（Brain natriuretic peptide,BNP）的表达。通过免疫组化和免疫比浊法分析大鼠肾小球硬化指数和白蛋白尿。结果：模型组较对照组大鼠室间隔厚度和左心室后壁厚度、MAP和心脏/体重比、I型胶原、III型胶原和CTGF的蛋白表达、ANP和BNP的mRNA表达、肾小球硬化指数和白蛋白尿以及SMA和TGF-β1的蛋白表达均显著增加,FS显著降低（P<0.05）,联合治疗组较模型组室间隔厚度和左心室后壁厚度、MAP和心脏/体重比、I型胶原、III型胶原和CTGF的蛋白表达、ANP和BNP的mRNA表达、肾小球硬化指数和白蛋白尿以及SMA和TGF-β1的蛋白表达均显著降低,FS显著增加（P<0.05）。结论：氯沙坦联合螺内酯可减轻L-NAME诱导的高血压大鼠模型中心脏重塑和肾脏纤维化的发生。     

术前超声引导下腰方肌阻滞联合全身麻醉对肾移植患者术后血清应激反应和疼痛相关指标的影响

摘要 目的：探讨术前超声引导下腰方肌阻滞（QLB）联合全身麻醉对肾移植患者术后血清应激反应和疼痛相关指标的影响。方法：选择我院2019年9月~2021年8月期间收治的行肾移植手术的患者82例作为观察对象。根据随机数字表法分为A组和B组,分别为41例。A组给予全身麻醉,B组给予术前超声引导下QLB联合全身麻醉,对比两组静息视觉疼痛模拟（VAS）评分、自控静脉镇痛中的舒芬太尼使用量、有效按压次数,对比两组术后血清应激反应和疼痛相关指标变化,对比两组不良反应发生情况。结果：B组术后6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h静息VAS评分低于A组（P<0.05）。B组自控静脉镇痛中的舒芬太尼使用量少于A组,有效按压次数少于A组（P<0.05）。B组拔管后、术后24 h血糖（Glu）、皮质醇（Cor）低于A组（P<0.05）。两组术后24 h P物质（SP）、前列腺素E₂（PGE₂）及5-羟色胺（5-HT）均升高,但B组低于A组（P<0.05）。两组的不良反应发生率对比无差异（P<0.05）。结论：术前超声引导下QLB联合全身麻醉用于肾移植手术患者,可有效减轻疼痛和应激反应,减少自控静脉镇痛中的舒芬太尼使用量、有效按压次数,且不增加不良反应发生率。     

l-Arginine Effects on Na+ Transport in M-1 Mouse Cortical Collecting Duct Cells—A Cationic Amino Acid Absorbing Epithelium

The effect of l-arginine on transepithelial ion transport was examined in cultured M-1 mouse renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) cells using continuous short circuit current (I _SC ) measurements in HCO₃ ⁻/CO₂ buffered solution. Steady state I _SC averaged 73.8 ± 3.2 μA/cm² (n= 126) and was reduced by 94 ± 0.6% (n= 16) by the apical addition of 100 μm amiloride. This confirms that the predominant electrogenic ion transport in M-1 cells is Na⁺ absorption via the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). Experiments using the cationic amino acid l-lysine (radiolabeled) as a stable arginine analogue show that the combined activity of an apical system y⁺ and a basal amino acid transport system y⁺L are responsible for most cationic amino acid transport across M-1 cells. Together they generate net absorptive cationic amino acid flux. Application of l-arginine (10 mm) either apically or basolaterally induced a transient peak increase in I _SC averaging 36.6 ± 5.4 μA/cm² (n= 19) and 32.0 ± 7.2 μA/cm² (n= 8), respectively. The response was preserved in the absence of bath Cl⁻ (n= 4), but was abolished either in the absence of apical Na⁺ (n= 4) or by apical addition of 100 μm amiloride (n= 6). l-lysine, which cannot serve as a precursor of NO, caused a response similar to that of l-arginine (n= 4); neither L-NMMA (100 μm; n= 3) nor L-NAME (1 mm; n= 4) (both NO-synthase inhibitors) affected the I _SC response to l-arginine. The effects of arginine or lysine were replicated by alkalinization that mimicked the transient alkalinization of the bath solution upon addition of these amino acids. We conclude that in M-1 cells l-arginine stimulates Na⁺ absorption via a pH-dependent, but NO-independent mechanism. The observed net cationic amino acid absorption will counteract passive cationic amino acid leak into the CCD in the presence of electrogenic Na⁺ transport, consistent with reports of stimulated expression of Na⁺ and cationic amino acid transporters by aldosterone. Received: 11 September 2000/Revised: 6 December 2000     

Synuclein-1 is selectively up-regulated in response to nerve growth factor treatment in PC12 cells

Mutations in the alpha-synuclein gene have recently been identified in families with inherited Parkinson's disease and the protein product of this gene is a component of Lewy bodies, indicating that alpha-synuclein is involved in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis. A role for normal alpha-synuclein in synaptic function, apoptosis or plasticity responses has been suggested. We show here that in rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells synuclein-1, the rat homolog of human alpha-synuclein, is highly and selectively up-regulated at the mRNA and protein levels after 7 days of nerve growth factor treatment. Synuclein-1 expression appears neither sufficient nor necessary for the neuritic sprouting that occurs within 1-2 days of nerve growth factor treatment. Rather, it likely represents a component of a late neuronal maturational response. Synuclein-1 redistributes diffusely within the cell soma and the neuritic processes in nerve growth factor-treated PC12 cells. Cultured neonatal rat sympathetic neurones express high levels of synuclein-1, with a diffuse intracellular distribution, similar to neuronal PC12 cells. These results suggest that levels of synuclein-1 may be regulated by neurotrophic factors in the nervous system and reinforce a role for alpha-synuclein in plasticity-maturational responses. In contrast, there is no correlation between synuclein expression and apoptotic death following trophic deprivation.