Reduction of circulating redox-active iron by apotransferrin protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Warm ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury plays an important role in posttransplant organ failure. In particular, organs from marginal donors suffer I/R injury. Although iron has been implicated in the pathophysiology of renal I/R injury, the mechanism of iron-mediated injury remains to be established. The authors therefore investigated the role of circulating redox-active iron in an experimental model for renal I/R injury. METHODS: Male Swiss mice were subjected to unilateral renal ischemia for 45 min, followed by contralateral nephrectomy and reperfusion. To investigate the role of circulating iron, mice were treated with apotransferrin, an endogenous iron-binding protein, or iron-saturated apotransferrin (holotransferrin). RESULTS: Renal ischemia induced a significant increase in circulating redox-active iron levels during reperfusion. Apotransferrin, in contrast to holotransferrin, reduced the amount of circulating redox-active iron and abrogated renal superoxide formation. Apotransferrin treatment did not affect I/R-induced renal apoptosis, whereas holotransferrin aggravated apoptotic cell death. Apotransferrin, in contrast to holotransferrin, inhibited the influx of neutrophils. Both apo- and holotransferrin reduced I/R-induced complement deposition, indicating that the effects of transferrin are differentially mediated by its iron and protein moiety. Finally, apotransferrin, in contrast to holotransferrin, dose-dependently inhibited the loss of renal function induced by ischemia. CONCLUSIONS: Redox-active iron is released into the circulation in the course of renal I/R. Reducing the amount of circulating redox-active iron by treatment with apotransferrin protects against renal I/R injury, inhibiting oxidative stress, inflammation, and loss of function. Apotransferrin could be used in the treatment of acute renal failure, as seen after transplantation of ischemically damaged organs.     

Exogenous alpha-1-acid glycoprotein protects against renal ischemia-reperfusion injury by inhibition of inflammation and apoptosis

BACKGROUND: Although ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury represents a major problem in posttransplant organ failure, effective treatment is not available. The acute phase protein alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) has been shown to be protective against experimental I/R injury. The effects of AGP are thought to be mediated by fucose groups expressed on the AGP protein inhibiting neutrophil infiltration. However, the precise mechanism of protection remains to be established. We therefore studied the effects of exogenous human AGP (hAGP) in a mouse model of ischemic acute renal failure. METHODS: Mice were subjected to renal I/R and treated with hAGP, fucose-depleted hAGP, or control treated. Also, transgenic mice over-expressing rat AGP or wild-type controls were subjected to renal I/R. RESULTS: Treatment was with hAGP as well as fucose-depleted hAGP protected mice against I/R-induced acute renal failure. Surprisingly, AGP-over-expressing mice were not protected against I/R injury. Both natural and fucose-depleted hAGP inhibited the activation of the complement system, as determined by renal C3 deposition and influx of neutrophils measured by immunohistochemistry and myeloperoxidase-enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay. Tubular epithelial cell structure (actin cytoskeleton) and cell-cell interaction (tight-junction architecture) were completely preserved in AGP-treated mice. Also, epithelial caspase activation and apoptotic DNA cleavage were prevented by AGP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Both natural and fucose-depleted hAGP protect against renal I/R injury by preservation of tubular epithelial structure and inhibition of apoptosis and subsequent inflammation. Therefore, hAGP can be regarded as a potential new therapeutic intervention in the treatment of acute renal failure, as seen after transplantation of ischemically injured kidneys.     

Treatment with an inhibitory monoclonal antibody to mouse factor B protects mice from induction of apoptosis and renal ischemia/reperfusion injury

Complement activation in the kidney after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) seems to occur primarily via the alternative complement pathway. The ability of an inhibitory mAb to mouse factor B, a necessary component of the alternative pathway, to protect mice from ischemic acute renal failure was tested. Treatment with the mAb prevented the deposition of C3b on the tubular epithelium and the generation of systemic C3a after renal I/R. Treated mice had significantly lower increases in serum urea nitrogen and developed significantly less morphologic injury of the kidney after I/R. For gaining insight into potential mechanisms of protection, the activity of caspases within the kidney also was measured, and it was found that caspases-2, -3, and -9 increased in a complement-dependent manner after renal I/R. Apoptotic cells were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase catalyzed labeling of DNA fragments, and mice in which the alternative pathway was inhibited demonstrated significantly less apoptosis than control mice. Thus, use of an inhibitory mAb to mouse factor B effectively prevented activation of complement in the kidney after I/R and protected the mice from necrotic and apoptotic injury of the tubules.     

Protection of renal ischemia injury using combination gene silencing of complement 3 and caspase 3 genes

BACKGROUND: Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs in clinical kidney transplantation, which results in graft dysfunction and rejection. It has been documented that I/R injury is associated with complement activation and renal cell apoptosis. The purpose of this study was to develop a strategy to prevent I/R injury using small interfering RNA (siRNA) that target complement 3 (C3) and caspase 3 genes. METHODS: siRNA-expression vectors were constructed to target C3 and caspase 3 genes. Gene silencing efficacy was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vivo gene silencing was performed by hydrodynamic injection with C3 and caspase 3 siRNA. Renal I/R injury was induced through clamping the renal vein and artery for 25 min. I/R injury was evaluated using kidney histopathology, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), serum levels of creatinine, and survival. RESULTS: Effective gene silencing was first confirmed in vitro. Notably upregulated expression of C3 and caspase 3 genes was observed from 2 to 48 hr after I/R injury, which were effectively and specifically inhibited by C3 and caspase 3 siRNA. In comparison with control mice, serum levels of creatinine and BUN were also significantly decreased in C3 and caspase 3 siRNA-treated mice. Furthermore, the therapeutic effect of siRNA was assessed in a severe, lethal I/R injury experiment, in which siRNA treatment significantly reduced mortality. Tissue histopathology showed an overall reduction in injury area in siRNA-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first demonstration that renal I/R injury can be prevented through silencing the complement gene and apoptosis gene, highlighting the potential for siRNA-based clinical therapy.     

Apoptosis and chemokine induction after renal ischemia-reperfusion

BACKGROUND: One of the earliest prerequisites for the development of inflammation after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is local chemokine expression. We recently demonstrated that apoptosis, characterized by intracellular caspase-activation, contributes to the development of inflammation after I/R. METHODS: The contribution of apoptosis was investigated using the pan-caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-CH2F in a murine model of renal I/R. Renal expression of the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) and KC was studied using RT-PCR and immunohistology. Measuring myeloperoxidase activity and serum ureum and creatinine levels assessed neutrophil influx and kidney dysfunction. RESULTS: We demonstrate renal up-regulation of KC and MIP-2 after 1 to 16 hr of reperfusion. Treatment with the caspase inhibitor Z-Val-Ala-Asp(OMe)-CH2F effectively prevented I/R-induced renal apoptosis, KC, and MIP-2 up-regulation after 2 hr of reperfusion as well as neutrophil influx and functional impairment after 24 hr of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: These data for the first time show that chemokine induction following I/R is dependent on caspase activation.     

Apoptosis and inflammation in renal reperfusion injury

Ischemia followed by reperfusion (I/R) has cardinal implications in the pathogenesis of organ transplantation and rejection. Apoptosis and inflammation are central mechanisms leading to organ damage in the course of renal I/R. General aspects of apoptosis, morphology, induction, and biochemistry are discussed. Activated caspases, the classical effector enzymes of apoptosis, are able to induce not only apoptosis but also inflammation after I/R in experimental models. This redefines the involvement of apoptosis in I/R injury toward a central and functional role in the development of organ damage. Our purpose is to assess aspects of apoptosis and inflammation in terms of involvement in the pathogenesis of I/R-induced organ damage. Moreover, the implications of recent experimental advances for diagnosis and treatment of renal I/R injury in clinical practice will be discussed.     

A small molecule C5a receptor antagonist protects kidneys from ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats

BACKGROUND: C5a has been implicated in numerous pathophysiological conditions, including ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of the kidney. We examined whether a novel and specific C5a receptor antagonist, the cyclic compound AcF-[OPdChaWR] could moderate I/R-induced renal injury in rats. METHODS: Female Wistar rats were subjected to renal ischemia (60 min) and reperfusion (5 h). Rats were treated with either 1 mg/kg IV in 5% ethanol/saline or 10 mg/kg PO in 25% ethanol/saline prior to ischemia. I/R injury was characterized by significant tissue hemorrhage with increased microvascular permeability, elevated renal tissue levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and myeloperoxidase (MPO), increased serum levels of creatinine and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and hematuria. RESULTS: Pre-ischemic treatment with the C5a receptor (C5aR) antagonist (1 mg/kg IV or 10 mg/kg PO) substantially inhibited or prevented I/R-induced hematuria, vascular leakage, tissue levels of TNF-alpha and MPO, and serum levels of AST and creatinine. Histological examination of kidneys from antagonist pretreated I/R animals showed a marked reduction in tissue damage compared to drug-free I/R rats. This antagonist, however, did not inhibit complement-mediated lysis of red blood cells, suggesting unimpaired formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC). CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate for the first time that a selective antagonist of both human and rat C5a receptors, given either intravenously or orally, significantly protects the kidney from I/R injury in the rat. We conclude that C5a is an important pathogenic agent in renal I/R injury, and that C5a receptor antagonists may be useful therapeutic agents for the pretreatment of anticipated renal reperfusion injury in humans.     

Hydrogen sulfide reduce renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by NOD-like receptor pathway

Objective To investigate whether the nod-like receptor (NLR) pathway is involved in protection of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) preconditioning during renal ischemia reperfusion. Methods Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation (Sham) group, renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) group subjected to occlusion of left renal pedicle for 45 min then reperfusion for 24 hours, and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) preconditioning group with continuous infusion of NaHS (300 nmol/min) by left renal artery for 15 min before I/R treatment. Renal injuries were evaluated by HE staining. The protein levels of NOD1, NOD2, nuclear NF-κB P65 and caspase-1 were analyzed by Western blot assay. The protein level of MCP-1 and IL-1β expressions was determined by immunohistochemical staining assay. Cell apoptosis were evaluated by Tunel staining assay. Results In I/R group, the renal NOD1 and NOD2 protein expressions were upregulated. Moreover, the nuclear NF-κB P65 expression was also elevated with an increase in its target genes-MCP-1 and IL-1β (All P＜0.01). HE staining revealed the existence of acute tubular necrosis in I/R kidney. TUNEL staining revealed more apoptotic cells in risk zone with the activation of caspase-1 of I/R-treated kidney(P＜0.01). NaHS preconditioning reversed I/R-induced increase in the expression of NOD1 and NOD2(P＜0.05). NaHS preconditioning also reduced I/R-induced activation of NF-κB P65 (P＜0.05) and upregulation of MCP-1 and IL-1β (P＜0.01). Moreover, NaHS preconditioning attenuated inflammation, repressed caspase-1 activation and reduced apoptotic cells after I/R. Conclusion Hydrogen sulfide preconditioning can alleviate renal ischemia/reperfusion injury by Nod-like receptor dependent on inflammatory pathway.     

Administration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist ameliorates renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Interleukin (IL)-1 is a major contributor to inflammation and apoptosis during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Its deleterious effects are primarily mediated by the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB). Receptor-binding and signaling of IL-1 can be blocked by the IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). The aim of our study was to characterize effects and mechanisms of IL-1ra administration on inflammation, apoptosis, and infiltration in renal I/R injury. Renal ischemia was induced in Lewis rats by clamping of the left renal artery for 45 min. Kidneys were removed for histological and molecular analysis 24 h or 5 days after reperfusion. IL-1ra ameliorated I/R induced renal injury and inflammation. Furthermore, the number of apoptotic tubular cells was lower in IL-1ra-treated animals 24 h after ischemia, which was paralleled by a Bax/Bcl-2 mRNA ratio towards anti-apoptotic effects. IL-1ra reduced the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA at 24 h and 5 days and that of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression at 24 h in the ischemic reperfused kidneys. Our results indicate that IL-1ra treatment ameliorates renal I/R injury and this protective effect might be mediated by reduced induction of NF-kappaB mediated MCP-1, ICAM-1, and a decreased ratio between Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression.     

七氟醚预先给药对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注时细胞凋亡的影响

目的 探讨七氟醚预先给药对大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注时细胞凋亡的影响.方法 健康清洁级雄性SD大鼠30只,体重220～260 g,采用随机数字表法,将大鼠随机分为3组(n=10):对照组(C组)、缺血再灌注组(I/R组)、七氟醚组(S组).I/R组和S组采用夹闭左肾蒂45 min后恢复再灌注的方法 建立肾脏缺血再灌注模型,C组腹部正中切口,右肾切除,左肾蒂游离后,缝合腹腔;S组模型制备前30 min开始吸入2.2%七氟醚和氧气的混合气体至再灌注3 h.于再灌注3 h时采集下腔静脉血样5 ml,测定血清尿素氮(BUN)、肌酐(Cr)浓度,然后取肾组织,光镜下观察肾组织病理学结果,TUNEL法检测细胞凋亡,计算细胞凋亡指数,采用RT-PCR和Western blot法测定血红素氧合酶-1(HO-1)mRNA及蛋白表达水平.结果 与C组比较,I/R组和S组血清BUN、Cr浓度、肾脏近曲小管坏死程度、细胞凋亡指数升高,HO-1 mRNA和蛋白表达上调(P＜0.05);与I/R组比较,S组血清BUN、Cr浓度、细胞凋亡指数、肾脏近曲小管坏死程度降低,HO-1 mRNA表达上调(P＜0.05).结论 七氟醚预先给药可通过抑制细胞凋亡而减轻大鼠肾脏缺血再灌注损伤,其抑制细胞凋亡作用可能与HO-1 mRNA表达上调有关.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the effects of sevoflurane pretreatment on renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced apoptosis in kidney in rats. Methods Thirty pathogen-free male SD rats weighing 220-260 g were randomized into 3 groups (n=10 each):group control (group C);group I/R and group sevoflurane(group S). Renal I/R was induced by clamping the left renal pedicle for 45 min in I/R and S groups. In group S inhalation of 2.2% sevoflurane in O2 was started at 30 min before operation and maintained throughout the experiment.Venous blood samples were taken at 3 h of reperfusion for determination of serum BUN and Cr concentrations. The animals were then sacrificed and the left kidneys were removed for microscopic examination, detection of apoptosis(by TUNEL)and determination of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1) mRNA and protein expression (by RT-PCR and Western blot).Results Renal I/R significantly increased serum BUN and Cr concentrations, apoptotic index(percentage of apoptotic cells) and the severity of necrosis of renal proximal convoluted tubules (0=normal,4=necrosis of whole segment of proximal convoluted tubules).Sevoflurane inhalation attenuated the I/R-induced changes mentioned above.HO-1 mRNA and protein expression was up-regulated by I/R and HO-1 mRNA expression was further up-regulated by sevoflurane inhalation.Conclusion Sevoflurane pretreatment can protect kidney against I/R injury by attenuating cell apoptosis.Up-regulation of HO-1 mRNA expression may be involved in the mechanism.     

The development of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome depends on complement C5

Gene variants in the alternative pathway of the complement system strongly associate with atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS), presumably by predisposing to increased complement activation within the kidney. Complement factor H (CFH) is the major regulator of complement activation through the alternative pathway. Factor H-deficient mice transgenically expressing a mutant CFH protein (Cfh(-/-).FHΔ16-20) that functionally mimics the CFH mutations reported in aHUS patients spontaneously develop thrombotic microangiopathy. To investigate the role of complement C5 activation in this aHUS model, we generated C5-deficient Cfh(-/-).FHΔ16-20 mice. Both C5-sufficient and C5-deficient Cfh(-/-).FHΔ16-20 mice had abnormal C3 deposition within the kidney, but spontaneous aHUS did not develop in any of the C5-deficient mice. Furthermore, although Cfh(-/-).FHΔ16-20 animals demonstrated marked hypersensitivity to experimentally triggered renal injury, animals with concomitant C5 deficiency did not. These data demonstrate a critical role for C5 activation in both spontaneous aHUS and experimentally triggered renal injury in animals with defective complement factor H function. This study provides a rationale to investigate therapeutic inhibition of C5 in human aHUS.     

Distinct roles for C3a and C5a in complement-induced tubulointerstitial injury

To prevent injury to host tissues, complement activation is regulated by a number of plasma and membrane-associated proteins, most of which limit C3 and C5 activation. An influx of circulating C3 from a syngeneic host into donor kidneys deficient in Crry (a membrane protein that reduces C3 convertase activity) causes spontaneous complement activation, primarily in the tubulointerstitum, leading to renal failure. To determine the roles of the C3a and C5a anaphylatoxins in tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, kidneys from Crry-/-C3-/- mice were transplanted into hosts lacking the C3a and/or C5a receptor. While unrestricted complement activation in the tubules was not affected by receptor status in the transplant recipient, C3a receptor deficiency in the recipients led to significantly reduced renal leukocyte infiltration and the extent of tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis, all of which led to preserved renal function. The absence of C5a receptors in recipients was not only inconsequential, but the protective effect of C3a receptor deficiency was also eliminated, suggesting distinct roles of C3a and C5a receptor signaling in this model. There was significant infiltration of the tubulointerstitum with 7/4+F4/80+CD11b+ myelomonocytic cells and Thy1.2+ T cells along injured tubules, and interstitial collagen I and III deposition, all of which were C3a receptor dependent. Thus, blockade of C3a receptor signaling is a possible treatment to reduce renal inflammation and preserve renal function associated with complement activation.     

Binding of factor H to tubular epithelial cells limits interstitial complement activation in ischemic injury

Factor H is a regulator of the alternative pathway of complement, and genetic studies have shown that patients with mutations in factor H are at increased risk for several types of renal disease. Pathogenic activation of the alternative pathway in acquired diseases, such as ischemic acute kidney injury, suggests that native factor H has a limited capacity to control the alternative pathway in the kidney. Here we found that an absolute deficiency of factor H produced by gene deletion prevented complement activation on tubulointerstitial cells after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury, likely because alternative pathway proteins were consumed in the fluid phase. In contrast, when fluid-phase regulation by factor H was maintained while the interaction of factor H with cell surfaces was blocked by a recombinant inhibitor protein, complement activation after renal I/R increased. Finally, a recombinant form of factor H, specifically targeted to sites of C3 deposition, reduced complement activation in the tubulointerstitium after ischemic injury. Thus, although factor H does not fully prevent activation of the alternative pathway of complement on ischemic tubules, its interaction with the tubule epithelial cell surface is critical for limiting complement activation and attenuating renal injury after ischemia.     

Effect of Seed of Cassia tora Extract in the Prevention of Remote Renal Reperfusion Injury

ObjectiveRenal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by the acute deterioration of renal function during ischemia and renal inflammation. Cassia tora has various effects, including antioxidant, antidiabetic, and hypolipidemic properties. In the present study, we investigated whether C tora has a renoprotective effect on I/R-induced acute kidney injury in rats.MethodsWe fed Sprague-Dawley rats either C tora (100 mg/kg/d) or saline. One week later, ischemia was induced by bilateral renal pedicle occlusion for 30 minutes, followed by reperfusion. Rats were randomized into 3 major groups, which were treated as follows: 1. the sham operation group; 2. the I/R group; and 3. the I/R-C tora group.ResultsCompared to the sham group, the I/R group had higher levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in serum and lower expression of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, antioxidant, and nitric oxide. Compared to the I/R group, the I/R-C tora group had higher expression of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, antioxidant, and nitric oxide, as well as lower levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine in serum.ConclusionsThese results suggest that C tora has significant therapeutic effects in ischemic renal injury.     

Hind limb perconditioning renoprotection by modulation of inflammatory cytokines after renal ischemia/reperfusion

Purpose Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common clinical problem associated with significant mortality and morbidity. One newly described strategy to reduce this damage is remote perconditioning (RPEC), in which short-time ischemia of a limb during renal ischemia reduces the I/R-induced kidney injury. This study aimed to assess whether RPEC confer protection through changes in pro-inflammatory mediators. Methods Rats were subjected to right nephrectomy and randomized into: sham (no intervention), I/R (subjected to 45-min left renal ischemia) and RPEC group (subjected to four cycles of 5-min I/R of the femoral artery administered during renal ischemia). After 24-h, blood, urine, and kidney samples were collected. Biochemical indicators of renal dysfunction were measured in the cases of Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and N-acetyl-B-diglucosaminidase (NAG) activity. Inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, TNF-α] expression in the renal tissues as well as Periodic acid-Schiff stained histological sections were evaluated. Results I/R resulted in renal dysfunction, as evidenced by higher renal NGAL expression and urinary NAG activities. This was accompanied by increased TNF-α and IL-6 expressions as well as histological changes in this group. However, RPEC improved renal histology and function compared with the I/R group. Furthermore, the RPEC group showed decreases in TNF-α and IL-6 expression. Conclusions These results suggest that RPEC reduces the dysfunction and injury associated with I/R of the kidney. This technique reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine in the kidney. RPEC could be a promising strategy against I/R-induced acute kidney injury partly by down-regulation of inflammatory mediators.     

Ethyl pyruvate is renoprotective against ischemia-reperfusion injury under hyperglycemia

Background

Hyperglycemia (HG) is common in cardiovascular surgeries due to diabetes, inflammation, and the neuroendocrine stress response. HG aggravates renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury through an increased inflammatory response, and blunts the protective effect of various measures. Ethyl pyruvate (EP) provides anti-inflammatory effects against I/R injury via inhibition of high-mobility group box 1 protein (HMGB1) release. This study aimed to determine the renoprotective effect of EP against I/R injury under HG.

Disruption of guanylyl cyclase-G protects against acute renal injury

The membrane forms of guanylyl cyclase (GC) serve as cell-surface receptors that synthesize the second messenger cGMP, which mediates diverse cellular processes. Rat kidney contains mRNA for the GC-G isoform, but the role of this receptor in health and disease has not been characterized. It was found that mouse kidney also contains GC-G mRNA, and immunohistochemistry identified GC-G protein in the epithelial cells of the proximal tubule and collecting ducts. Six hours after ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, GC-G mRNA and protein expression increased three-fold and remained upregulated at 24 h. For determination of whether GC-G mediates I/R injury, a mutant mouse with a targeted disruption of the GC-G gene (Gucy2g) was created. At baseline, no histologic abnormalities were observed in GC-G(-/-) mice. After I/R injury, elevations in serum creatinine and urea were attenuated in GC-G(-/-) mice compared with wild-type controls, and this correlated with less tubular disruption, less tubular cell apoptosis, and less caspase-3 activation. Measures of inflammation (number of infiltrating neutrophils, myeloperoxidase activity, and induction of IL-6 and P-selectin) and activation of NF-kappaB were lower in GC-G(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. Direct transfer of a GC-G expression plasmid to the kidneys of GC-G(-/-) mice resulted in a dramatically higher mortality after renal I/R injury, further supporting a role for GC-G in mediating injury. In summary, GC-G may act as an early signaling molecule that promotes apoptotic and inflammatory responses in I/R-induced acute renal injury.     

mito-KATP通道在缺血后处理减轻大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤中的作用

目的 评价线粒体ATP敏感性钾通道(mito-KATP通道)在缺血后处理减轻大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤中的作用.方法 健康成年雄性SD大鼠35只,体重250～280 g,随机分为5组(n=7):假手术组(S组)仅分离双侧肾蒂,暴露45 min不夹闭;肾缺血再灌注组(I/R组)夹闭双侧肾蒂缺血45 min,再灌注6 h制备大鼠肾缺血再灌注模型;缺血后处理组(Ipo组)夹闭双侧肾蒂缺血45 min,再灌注10 s,缺血10 s,反复3次,再灌注6 h;mito-KATP通道阻断剂5-羟葵酸+I/R组(5-HD+I/R组)缺血前30 min腹腔注射5-HD 10 mg/kg,余处理同I/R组;缺血后处理+5-HD组(5-HD+Ipo组)缺血前30 min腹腔注射5-HD 10 mg/kg,余处理同Ipo组.于再灌注6 h时采集心脏血样,取肾并分离肾小管上皮细胞,测定血清Cr和BUN的浓度、肾小管上皮细胞线粒体膜电位、细胞内活性氧(ROS)含量和游离Ca2+浓度.结果 与S组比较,I/R组、Ipo组、5-HD+I/R组和5-HD+Ipo组血清Cr和BUN的浓度、肾小管上皮细胞内游离Ca2+浓度和ROS含量升高,线粒体膜电位降低(P＜0.05);与I/R组比较,Ipo组血清Cr和BUN的浓度、肾小管上皮细胞内游离Ca2+浓度和ROS含量降低,线粒体膜电位升高(P＜0.05),5-HD+I/R组和5-HD+Ipo组上述指标差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);与Ipo组比较,5-HD+I/R组和5-HD+Ipo组血清Cr和BUN浓度、肾小管上皮细胞内游离Ca2+浓度和ROS含量升高,线粒体膜电位降低(P＜0.05).结论 mito-KATP通道的开放参与了缺血后处理减轻大鼠肾缺血再灌注损伤的过程.     

Penehyclidine hydrochloride ameliorates renal ischemia–reperfusion injury in rats

Background

Renal ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury is a major cause of acute kidney failure by mechanisms that involve oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Penehyclidine hydrochloride (PHC), a selective anticholinergic agent, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and antiapoptotic effects. Therefore, we investigated the ability of PHC to ameliorate renal I/R injury in Sprague–Dawley rats.

Materials and methods

Rats were randomly assigned to three groups (35 rats per group): sham operated, saline-treated I/R, and PHC-treated I/R. After removing the right kidney, renal I/R injury was induced by clamping the left renal artery for 45 min followed by reperfusion. The rats were administered PHC (0.45 mg/kg, intravenously) or saline 30 min before renal ischemia. The blood and kidneys were harvested at 1, 3, 6, 12, or 24 h after reperfusion. Renal function and histologic changes were assessed. Markers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in the kidneys were also measured.

Results

PHC treatment significantly attenuated renal dysfunction and histologic damage caused by I/R injury. The treatment also decreased malondialdehyde level and attenuated the reduction in superoxide dismutase activity in the kidney. Moreover, the levels of activated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, nuclear factor kappa B, and caspase 3 were lower in the PHC-treated animals.

Conclusions

PHC protected rat kidneys from I/R injury by attenuating oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and apoptosis. Thus, PHC may represent a novel practical strategy for the treatment of renal I/R injury.     

Inhibition of complement factor C5 protects against anti-myeloperoxidase antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis in mice

In mice, administration of murine anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) IgG induces pauci-immune necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. Recent studies in this model indicate a crucial role for complement activation in disease induction. Here, we investigated the effect of pretreatment or intervention with a C5-inhibiting monoclonal antibody (BB5.1) in the mouse model of anti-MPO IgG-induced glomerulonephritis. Mice received BB5.1 8 h before or 1 day after disease induction with anti-MPO IgG and lipopolysaccharide. Mice were killed after 1 or 7 days. Control antibody-pretreated mice developed hematuria, leukocyturia and albuminuria, and glomerulonephritis with a mean of 21.0+/-8.8% glomerular crescents and 12.8+/-5.5% glomerular capillary necrosis. BB5.1 pretreatment prevented disease development, as evidenced by the absence of urinary abnormalities, a marked reduction in glomerular neutrophil influx at day 1 and normal renal morphology at day 7. Importantly, BB5.1 administration 1 day after disease induction also resulted in a marked attenuation of urinary abnormalities and a more than 80% reduction in glomerular crescent formation. In conclusion, inhibition of C5 activation attenuates disease development in a mouse model of anti-MPO IgG-induced glomerulonephritis. These results favor further investigations into the role of complement activation in human MPO-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody-mediated glomerulonephritis, and indicate that inhibition of C5 activation is a potential therapeutic approach in this disease.