Metabolic regulation of Nod-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome and its role in renal diseases / 中华肾脏病杂志

In recent years, with the development of metabolic reprogramming research, people have changed their understanding of the biological effects of immune cells. Under the stimulation of inflammatory response, immune cells re-regulate their metabolism and bioenergetics, provide energy and substrates for cell survival, and initiate immune effect functions. Nod-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, as an important component of the innate immune system, has been shown to sense metabolites such as uric acid and cholesterol crystals, and can be inhibited by metabolites such as ketones. It is also regulated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and glycolytic components (such as hexokinase). Recent studies have shown that a variety of metabolic pathways converge as effective regulators of NLRP3 inflammasome. The paper reviews the metabolic regulatory pathways and specificity of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and its role in renal diseases.

MiRNA-148b targeted AMPKα1 mediates high glucose-induced apoptosis in human renal tubular epithelial cells via oxidative stress / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression and mechanism of microRNA-148b (miRNA-148b) in high glucose-induced renal tubular injury.Method HK-2 cells cultured in vitro were divided into normal glucose group,mannitol hypertonic control group and high glucose group.After 48 hours of culture,the expression of miRNA-148b was detected by real-time quantitative PCR.2',7'-Dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) was used for detecting production of ROS and observed under fluorescence microscope for analysis;The expression of AMPKot1,Bcl-2,NOX2,NOX4,activated caspase3 (cleaved-caspase3) were detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the normal glucose group,the expression of miRNA-148b was up-regulated in HK-2 cells in high glucose group and hypertonic group (P ＜ 0.01),and the production of ROS increased (P ＜ 0.01).The expression of NOX2 and NOX4 was increased,AMPKα1 and Bcl-2 decreased,and cleaved caspase-3 was increased (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions HG up-regulated miRNA-148b expression and down-regulated its target gene AMPKα1 which promotes the expression of NOX2 and NOX4 in HK-2 cells.MiRNA-148b promotes apoptosis of HK-2 cells via increasing production of ROS and enhancing cleaved-caspase3 for Bcl-2 insufficiency.The tubular toxicity of high glucose is partly due to osmotic pressure.MiRNA-148b may be involved in the pathological injury of diabetic nephropathy and is expected to become a new therapeutic target for diabetic nephropathy.

Change and clinical significance of microRNA-148b-3p level in the serum of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To detect the serum microRNA-148b-3p level in patients with diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy,and to analyze its correlation with clinical and pathological indexes.Methods The research crowd was divided into three groups (1) diabetic nephropathy group:biopsy with diabetic nephropathy (n=25,14 males,11 females);(2) type 2 diabetes mellitus group:type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with normal urinary microalbumin/urinary creatinine value (n=10,4 males,6 females);(3) normal control group:healthy subjects (n=9,3 males and 6 females).Clinical indicators included gender,age,24-hour urine protein,systolic blood pressure (SBP),diastolic blood pressure (DBP),serum creatinine (Scr),urea (Urea),cystatin-C (Cys-C),blood albumin (ALB),urine microalbumin (UMA),triacylglycerol (TG),total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C),serum uric acid (UA),fasting blood glucose (FBG),glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c),urine microalbuminuria / urinary creatinine (UACR),and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) calculated by CKD-EPI formula.Real-time quantitative PCR was applied to verify the expression of microRNA-148b-3p in serum samples of the research crowds.The relationships between microRNA-148b-3p level and clinical features was also analyzed.Results The levels of serum microRNA-148b-3p in diabetic nephropathy group and in type 2 diabetes mellitus group were 1.82 times and 1.73 times of that in normal control group (P ＜ 0.05,respectively).The level of serum microRNA-148b-3p was significantly correlated with HDL-C (r=-0.374,P=0.013),UMA (r=0.426,P=0.004),FBG (r=0.330,P=0.046) and TG (r=0.423,P=0.005).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that UMA level was independently associated with serum microRNA-148b-3p level (β=0.338,P=0.044).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) of serum microRNA-148b-3p in diagnosing type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy was 0.835 and 0.665,respectively.Conclusions The level of serum microRNA-148b-3p of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus or diabetic nephropathy significantly increases.The level of UMA is independently associated with serum microRNA-148b-3p level.Serum microRNA-148b-3p is expected to be a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy.

Advanced glycation end products induce mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate whether advanced glycation end products (AGEs) can induce the expression of Ros,JC-1 and its apoptosis-related proteins in glomerular mesangial cells under high glucose environment,induce apoptosis and injury of glomerular mesangial cells.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cell line HBZY-1 was cultured in vitro.The cells were cultured with different concentrations of AGEs for 0,12,24 and 48 hours respectively.MTT assay was used to observe the cell proliferation ability.After the optimal time and concentration of AGEs were selected,the caspase enzyme inhibitor Z-VAD-fmk and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) were cultured and the apoptosis rate was detected by cell death detection apoptosis ELISA plus and Annexin V-FITC/PI kit.JC-1 staining was used to detect the changes of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP).Cell ROX deep red flow cytometry was used to detect the total ROS level.The expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2,pro-apoptotic protein BAX,caspase-9,caspase-3 and poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP)-activated fragments was detected by Western blotting.Results AGEs could decrease the activity of glomerular mesangial cells in a time and concentration-dependent manner,and induce cell death.The percentage of apoptotic cells in glomerular mesangial cells was significantly increased after treatment with 250 mg/L AGEs for 24 h (P ＜ 0.01),and Z-VAD-fmk could significantly alleviate AGEs-induced glomerular mesangial cell apoptosis (P ＜ 0.01).Compared with the control group,AGEs increased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and decreased MMP in a time-dependent manner,and the two time points that AGEs significantly caused the change were 1 h and 2 h (all P ＜ 0.01).AGEs also reduced the expression of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Compared with AGEs group,NAC could significantly stabilize MMP (P ＜ 0.01),increase Bcl-2 expression (P ＜ 0.01),and decrease the expression of BAX,cleaved caspase-9,cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved PARP (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion AGEs induce mitochondrial pathway apoptosis in glomerular mesangial cells by increasing intracellular ROS level and destroying MMP.

Abated microRNA-21 attenuates high glucose-induced autophagy inhibition in rat mesangial cells by PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective@#To investigate the effects of abated microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) on phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten protein (PTEN) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway, as well as their further influence on the autophagy in high glucose (HG, 25.0 mmol/L) induced rat glomerular mesangial cells.@*Methods@#MiRNA-21 inhibitor and negative control were transfected by liposome 2000 into rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1). The cells were divided into normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L) group, normal glucose+negative control group, normal glucose+miRNA-21 inhibitor group, HG group, HG+negative control group and HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group. Cell proliferation and hypertrophy were assayed by MTT and the ratio of total protein to cell number respectively. The miRNA-21 expression was detected using real time PCR. The expressions of PTEN/Akt/mTOR signaling signatures, autophagy-associated protein (p62 and LC3 Ⅱ) and collagen Ⅰ was detected by Western blotting and real time PCR. Autophagosomes were observed using electron microscopy.@*Results@#Compared with those in normal glucose group, in HG group cells had hypertrophy and proliferation, up-regulated miRNA-21 expression, and down-regulated PTEN protein and mRNA expressions (all P<0.01). Also there were and up-regulated p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62 and collagen Ⅰ expression, and lower LC3 Ⅱ expression and autophagosomes (all P<0.01). Further, compared with those in HG group, cells hypertrophy and proliferation in HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group were reduced, expressions of p-Akt, p-mTOR, p62 and collagen Ⅰ were down-regulated, while expressions of PTEN and LC3 Ⅱ and autophagosomes were up-regulated (all P<0.01).@*Conclusions@#MiRNA-21 inhibitor up-regulates PTEN expression, which inhibits the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, ameliorates cell hypertrophy, proliferation and enhances autophagy to reduce extracellular matrix accumulation.

Risk Factors and Correlation Analysis between the Oxford Classification and Clinical Indicators of IgA Nephropathy / 中国医科大学学报

Objective To analyze the risk factors and correlation between clinical indicators and the four main pathological lesions of IgA ne?phropathy in the Oxford classification:mesangial hypercellularity(M0/1),endocapillary proliferation(E0/1),segmental sclerosis or adhesion(S0/1), and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis(T0/1/2). Methods Clinical and pathological data were collected from 514 patients with biopsy?proven IgA nephropathy admitted in our hospital from February 17,2006 to October 11,2011. These patients were all above 18 years old. Cases with sec?ondary causes of mesangial IgA deposition were excluded,such as Henoch?chonlein purpura,ankylosing spondylitis and psoriasis et al. The inde?pendent risk factors affecting the pathological classification were analyzed by Spearman rank correlation analysis and two?category and multi?classi?fication logistic regression using SPSS 17.0 statistical software. Results In 514 IgAN patients,the ratio of males to females was 1.06:1. The aver?age age was 35.70±11.99 years,and the average disease duration was 18.31±30.42 months. M0E0S0T0 was the major pathologic classification of isolated hematuria. Chronic kidney disease(CKD)stage,24 hours proteinuria,albuminuria,urine transferrin and IgG levels were positively corre? lated with M lesion;serum albumin,C3 and PLT showed a negative correlation with M lesion. Twenty four hours proteinuria and blood platelet count were the independent risk factors for M lesion. As shown by stratified analysis ,the proportion of M1 in cases with 24 hours proteinuria≥3.5 g/d is much higher than that in cases with non?nephrotic range proteinuria. Age,systolic blood pressure,uRBC,24 hours proteinuria,albuminuria urine transferrin and IgG levels were positively correlated with E lesion,Duration,serum albumin showed a negative correlation with E lesion. Age and duration of nephritis were independent risk factors for E lesion. 73.3%of patients that above 60 years old showed endothelial proliferation. CKD stage,24 hours proteinuria were positively correlated with S lesion. Age,CKD stage,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,C4,TC, LDL?C,CRP,Fib,UA,Cys?C and 24 hours proteinuria,urineβ2?microglobulin,albumin,transferrin and IgG levels were positively associated with T lesion;hemoglobin,serum albumin,serum IgG showed a negative correlation with T lesion. Infection history,high CRP levels,DBP more than 90 mmHg,hypoalbuminemia,high low density lipoproteinemia,and anemia were independent risk factors for T lesion. Conclusion Twenty four hours proteinuria,blood platelet count,age,duration of nephritis,hypoalbuminemia,anemia,hyperlipidemia,DBP≥90 mmHg and high CRP lev?els were risk factors for the Oxford classification of IgA nephropathy. Renal biopsy should be carried out in time to make clear the pathological clas?sification and individual treatment,so as to improve the prognosis.

Transient high glucose induces persistent inflammatory status in rat glomerular mesangial cell via histone methylation modification / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate whether the effect of transient high glucose on inflammatory factors expression could be continuous in rat glomerular mesangial cell,and its relation with histone methylation modification.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-l) were divided into three groups:the high glucose group (25.0 mmol/L glucose),the hypertonic group (MA,5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 19.5 mmol/L mannitol) and the normal-glucose control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose),which were cultured for 24 h respectively.All 3 groups were then changed with normal-glucose medium to culture for 24 h,48 h and 72 h.Their protein,mRNA and supernatant were harvested.The protein expressions of mono-methylation of H3 lysine 4 (H3K4mel) was measured by Western blotting,and the mRNA expressions of NF-κB subunit p65 and set7/9 were determined by real timequantitative PCR.The expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results (1)Compared with those in normal control group,the expressions of H3K4mel protein and set7/9 mRNA were first up-regulated in high glucose group,then gradually down-regulated in the following 48 h normal-glucose medium (as compared with those at 0 h,all P ＜ 0.05).At 72 h there was no statistic difference between high glucose group and normal control group (all P ＞ 0.05).(2) Compared with those in normal control group,the up-regulated p65 mRNA,VCAM-1 and MCP-1 sustained at least for 72 h in high glucose group.Conclusions Transient high glucose can induce persistent inflammatory factors expression in rat glomerular mesangial cells,which may via histone modification.

Abated microRNA-21 attenuates high glucose-induced autophagy inhibition in rat mesangial cells by PTEN/Akt/mTOR pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of abated microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) on phosphatase and tensin homologue on chromosome ten protein (PTEN) and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway,as well as their further influence on the autophagy in high glucose (HG,25.0 mmol/L) induced rat glomerular mesangial cells.Methods MiRNA-21 inhibitor and negative control were transfected by liposome 2000 into rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1).The cells were divided into normal glucose (5.5 mmol/L) group,normal glucose + negative control group,normal glucose +miRNA-21 inhibitor group,HG group,HG+negative control group and HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group.Cell proliferation and hypertrophy were assayed by MTT and the ratio of total protein to cell number respectively.The miRNA-21 expression was detected using real time PCR.The expressions of PTEN/ Akt/mTOR signaling signatures,autophagy-associated protein (p62 and LC3 Ⅱ) and collagen Ⅰ was detected by Western blotting and real time PCR.Autophagosomes were observed using electron microscopy.Results Compared with those in normal glucose group,in HG group cells had hypertrophy and proliferation,up-regulated miRNA-21 expression,and down-regulated PTEN protein and mRNA expressions (all P ＜ 0.01).Also there were and up-regulated p-Akt,p-mTOR,p62 and collagen Ⅰ expression,and lower LC3 Ⅱ expression and autophagosomes (all P ＜ 0.01).Further,compared with those in HG group,cells hypertrophy and proliferation in HG+miRNA-21 inhibitor group were reduced,expressions of p-Akt,p-mTOR,p62 and collagen Ⅰ were down-regulated,while expressions of PTEN and LC3 Ⅱ and autophagosomes were up-regulated (all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions MiRNA-21 inhibitor up-regulates PTEN expression,which inhibits the activation of Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,ameliorates cell hypertrophy,proliferation and enhances autophagy to reduce extracellular matrix accumulation.

MicroRNA-148b influences high glucose-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in rat mesangial cell by targeting AMPKα1 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To observe the expression of microRNA-148b (miR-148b) induced by high glucose in rat mesangial cells,and to explore its effect on its target gene AMP-activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1) and extracellular matrix excretion.Methods Rat mesangial cells were divided ino 3 groups:normal glucose (NG,5.5 mmol/L glucose) group,hypertonic (MA,5.5 mmol/L glucose+19.5 mmol/L mannitol) group and high-glucose (HG,25.0 mmol/L glucose) group.MiR-148b expression was detected by real time PCR.Then miR-148b inhibitor was transfected to rat mesangial cells.Their protein expressions of AMPKα1,glucose regulated protein 78 (GRP78),C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP),fibronectin (FN) and collagen Ⅳ were detected by Western blotting.The expression of AMPKα1 mRNA was detected by real time PCR.The expression of collagen Ⅳ was also detected by immunofluorescence.Results Compared with NG group,HG group showed up-regulated miR-148bexpression,down-regulated AMPKαl mRNA and protein expressions,and up-regulated CHOP,GRP78,collagen Ⅳ and FN expressions (all P ＜ 0.05).HG-induced mesangial cells with miR-148binhibitor had up-regulated AMPKα1 mRNA and protein expressions,and down-regulated CHOP,GRP78,collagen Ⅳ,FN expressions as compared with HG-induced cells without miR-148b inhibitor (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions HG can up-regulate miR-148b expression and down-regulate AMPKα1 expression in rat mesangial cells,then activate endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce extracellular matrix excretion.MiR-148b inhibitor up-regulates AMPKα1 expression,inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress and reduces extracellular matrix excretion.

MicroRNA-503 regulates high-glucose induced apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells by targeting Bcl-2 / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression vibration of microRNA-503(miR-503) and its effect on target gene Bcl-2,caspase enzyme activity and apoptosis of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) induced by high glucose,and to clarify the pathogenesis of renal tubular injury induced by high glucose.Methods HK-2 cells were cultured in normal glucose group (NG),mannitol hypertonic control group (MA),and high glucose group (HG).The morphology of apoptotic cells was observed using inverted microscope.The expression of miR-503 was determined using realtime quantitative PCR.The apoptosis rate of HK-2 cells was detected by Annexin V-FITC double dye using flow cytometry instrument.The expression of Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-9 were detected by Western blotting.Results In the high glucose and mannitol groups HK-2 cell,an obviously increased apoptotic rate was observed under inverted microscope compared with normal glucose group (P ＜ 0.05).MA and HG up-regulated miR-503 expression (P ＜ 0.01),down-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression (P ＜ 0.05) and up-regulated cleaved caspase-9 (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions The expression of miR-503 increases in HK-2 cells cultured by high glucose and mannitol.MiR-503 promotes apoptosis of HK-2 cells via activating mitochondrial apoptotic pathways and enhancing cleaved caspase-9 for Bcl-2 insufficiency.The tubular toxicity of high glucose is partly due to osmotic pressure.The miR-503 may be involved in diabetic tubular injury and may be a new therapeutic target of DN.

The efficiency of serum lncRNA GAS5/miR-21 as biomarkers in patients with diabetes and diabetic nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To elucidate the efficiency lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 as biomarkers in diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy.Methods The patients were divided into three groups,diabetic nephropathy group (DN group proven by renal biopsy,n=25,14 males and 11 females),diabetes group (DM group,with normal urine albumin creatinine ratio,n=10,4 males and 6 females),and normal control group (NC group,n=9,4 males and 5 females).The expressions of lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 in serum samples were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.The correlation between serum lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 expressions and the clinical parameters was analyzed by T-test,Pearson,Spearman test and multivariate linear regression analysis.Differences of lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 in different groups were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance.The ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of lncRNA GAS5 and miR-21 in diabetes and diabetic nephropathy.All data were analyzed by SPSS 20.0 and GraphPad software,with P ＜ 0.05 as considered statistically significant.Results (1) The expression of serum lncRNA GAS5 was significantly down-regulated and serum miR-21 was significantly up-regulated in both diabetes mellitus and diabetic nephropathy patients compared to the NC group all (P ＜ 0.05).(2) In DN patients,the expression of serum lncRNA GAS5 was gradually up-regulated along with the increment of 24 h urinary protein.The expression of serum miR-21 was gradually up-regulated along with renal biopsy stage Ⅱb-Ⅲ of DN (P ＜ 0.05).(3)FBG and HbA1c were all negatively correlated with serum lncRNA GAS5 (P ＜ 0.05),and FBG was independently correlated with serum lncRNA GAS5 (P ＜ 0.05).Urine microalbumin,Total cholesterol (TC),Scr,Urea and SBP were all positively correlated with serum miR-21(P ＜ 0.05).Albumin (ALB)and estimated GFR (eGFR) were negatively correlated with serum miR-21(P ＜ 0.05),and ALB was independently correlated with serum miR-21 (P ＜ 0.05).(4) The diagnostic efficiency of serum lncRNA GAS5,miR-21 and lncRNA GAS5/miR-21 as "diagnostic signature" for DM were was good (P ＜ 0.05).(5) The diagnostic efficiency of serum miR-21 and lncRNA GAS5/miR-21 as "diagnostic signature" for DN were was good (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions (1) Serum lncRNA GAS5 had good diagnostic efficiency in diabetes mellitus.The sensitivity of lncRNA GAS5/miR-21 for diagnosis of diabetes was 85.71％,and specificity was 88.89％.(2) The level of serum miR-21 can be used as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for diabetic nephropathy.

Renal ultrasound elastography can reflect clinical-pathological changes in chronic kidney disease patients / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To analyze how is the elastography of renal tissue correlated to clinical biochemical indexes and pathological changes in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and toexplore the potential of renal elastography to become a new noninvasive method available for the dynamic monitoring of renal disease progression, as well as its efficacy assessment and prognosis evaluation. Methods Patients admitted to the department of nephrology of the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University and received renal biopsy from August 2014 to January 2015 were selected. One hundred and thirteen cases of CKD patients, 61 males and 52 females were enrolled, including 23 cases of IgA nephropathy, 39 cases of membranous nephropathy, 15 cases of minimal change nephropathy and 7 cases of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. The Young modulus of renal cortex and medulla (YMcortex and YMmedul a) were detected by Aix Plorer type full digital color Doppler ultrasound. The correlations between the YMs and clinical biochemical indicators in blood and urine, and the difference of YMs among different pathological changes in patients with CKD were analyzed by statistics. Results The YMcortex and YMmedul a in CKD patients were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05); and with the progression of CKD, the YMcortex and YMmedul a gradually increased. The YMcortex in CKD G5 patients was higher than that in CKD G1?3 patients (all P<0.05). The YMmedul a in CKD G3?5 patients was higher than that in CKD G1?2 patients (all P<0.05). The YMcortex was correlated with systolic pressure, serum creatinine, cystatin C, serum albumin, serum phosphorus, calcium and phosphorus product, uric acid, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), urinary NAG, estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and hemoglobin (all P<0.05). The YMmedul a was correlated with systolic pressure, serum creatinine, serum albumin, uric acid, iPTH, urine microalbumin (MA), urinary NAG and hemoglobin (all P<0.05). Serum cystatin C (β=0.485, P=0.018) and uric acid (β=0.418, P=0.039) were independently correlated with the YMcortex. Serum creatinine (β=0.380, P=0.019), uric acid (β=0.482, P=0.004) and smoking (β=0.337, P=0.009) were independently correlated with YMmedul a. The YMcortex and YMmedul a in different pathological types were statistically significant (P<0.001, P=0.003). The YMcortex and YMmedul a in patients with membranous nephropathy and IgA nephropathy were higher than those in the patients with minimal change nephropathy (all P<0.05). The YMmedul a in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was higher than that in the patients with minimal change nephropathy (P<0.05). The YMcortex in the patients with phases Ⅳ and Ⅴ based on the Lee grading system of IgA nephropathy was higher than that in the patients with phases Ⅱ andⅢ (P<0.05). According the Oxford classification for IgA nephropathy, the YMcortex and YMmedul a in the T1 and T2 patients were higher than those in the T0 patients (P<0.05). The YMcortex and YMmedul a showed no statistically significant differences among different stages of membranous nephropathy. Conclusions The YMcortex and YMmedul a are associated with the progress of renal insufficiency, which may become new indicators for determining CKD progression. The renal ultrasound elastography may become a new non?invasive method for early diagnosing CKD, dynamic monitoring disease progression, and assessing efficacy and prognosis.

Ursolic acid inhibits high glucose-induced epithelial mesenchymal transition of podocyte by mediating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To observe the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of podocyte induced by high glucose,and to explore the potential protective mechanism of ursolic acid (UA).Methods The podocytes cultured in vitro were divided into four groups:normal group (glucose 5.5 mmol/L),mannitol group (glucose 5.5 mmol/L+mannitol 19.5 mmol/L),high glucose group (glucose 25 mmol/L) and UA group (glucose 25 mmol/L + UA 5 μmol/L).Podocyte morphology changes were observed by inverted phase contract microscope.The expression of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by immunofluorescence.The expressions of β-catenin and glycogen synthesis kinase-3β (GSK3β) were detected by Western blotting.The expressions of Wnt1,Wnt3a,Wnt5a,Wnt5b and GSK3β were detected by real-time PCR.Results Podocytes showed irregular arborization shape in normal glucose and transited to longer cobblestone-like shape as mesenchyme cell by high glucose culture.Compared with normal group,the expression of ZO-1 protein was down-regulated and the expression of α-SMA was up-regulated by high glucose culture (P ＜ 0.05).The expression of Wnt5a mRNA was down-regulated;β-catenin mRNA and protein were up-regulated (P ＜ 0.05);and GSK3β protein was down-regulated by high glucose culture (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with high glucose group,ursolic acid inhibited podocyte EMT,up-regulated the expression of ZO-1 protein,Wnt5a mRNA,GSK3β (P ＜ 0.05),and down-regulated the expressions of α-SMA protein,β-catenin mRNA and protein (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Ursolic acid attenuates high glucose induced epithelial mesenchymal transition of podocyte by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Effect of high glucose on the Notch signal pathway in mesangial cells and intervention of the cordyceps sinensis / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the expression of Notch signaling molecules, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and fibronectin (FN) in mesangial cell induced by high glucose, and the underlying mechanism of cordyceps sinensis.Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells were divided into following groups: normal control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose), hypertonic control group (5.5 mmol/L glucose+ 19.5 mmol/L mannitol), high glucose group (25.0 mmol/L glucose), DAPT inhibitor group (25.0 mmol/L glucose + 1 μmol/L DAPT), cordyceps sinensis intervention group (25.0 mmol/L glucose+10 mg/L cordyceps sinensis).Cell proliferation was detected by MTT.The protein and mRNA expression of Notch signaling molecules (Notch1, Jagged1 and Hes1), TGF-β and FN was detected by Western blotting and real time PCR.Results Compared with normal control group, high glucose induced mesangial cell proliferation, as well as the mRNA and protein expression of Notch1, Jagged1, Hes1, TGF-β1 and FN was up-regulated in high glucose group (all P ＜ 0.05).Compared with that in high-glucose group, DAPT and cordyceps sinensis inhibited high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and down-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of Notch pathway, TGF-β1 and FN (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion By inhibiting the abnormal activation of Notch signaling pathway and TGF-β signaling pathway, cordyceps sinensis may alleviate high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and reduce extracellular matrix accumulation, thus protecting kidney.

Ursolic acid attenuates diabetic mesangial cell injury by up-regulating autophagy via suppressing miRNA21-PTEN-Akt-mTOR pathway / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the underlying mechanism of ursolic acid in attenuating diabetic mesangial cells injury induced by high glucose (HG).Methods Rat glomerular mesangial cells were cultured in normal glucose,HG,HG with LY294002 and HG with ursolic acid.The cell proliferation and hypertrophy were detected by MTT and the ratio of total protein content to cell number.miRNA-21 was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.The PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway,autophagy associated protein and collagen I were detected by Western blotting and quantitative realtime PCR.The autophagosomes were observed by electron microscope.Results Compared with normal control group,the cells exposed to HG showed up-regulating miRNA-21 expression(P ＜ 0.01),down-regulating PTEN protein and mRNA expression(P ＜ 0.01),up-regulating p85PI3K,phospho(p)-Akt,p-mTOR,p62/SQSTMI,collagen I expressions and down-regulating LC3II expression(P ＜ 0.01).Ursolic acid and LY294002 inhibited HG-induced mesangial cell hypertrophy and proliferation(P < 0.01),down -regulated the expressions of p85Pl3K,p-Akt,p-mTOR,p62/SQSTMI and collagen I and up-regulated the expression of LC3II(P ＜ 0.01).But LY294002 had no effect on the expression of miRNA-21 and PTEN.Ursolic acid down-regulated miRNA-21 expression(P ＜ 0.01),up-regulated PTEN protein and mRNA expression(P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion Ursolic acid may inhibit high glucose-induced mesangial cell miRNA-21 overexpression,up-regulate PTEN,inhibit the activation of PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway and the enhanced autophagy to reduce the accumulation of extracellular matrix and ameliorate cell hypertrophy and proliferation.

Candesartan early or late treatment reduced advanced glycation end-products accumulation and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mice kidney / 中国医师杂志

Objective The effects of candesartan,an angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) were investigated on advanced glycation end-products accumulation and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) expression in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mouse kidneys.MethodsKK/Ta mice(n=72)were random divided into three groups(n=24) and it was treated with candesartan [4 mg/(kg·d)] or vehicle from 6 or 12 to 28 weeks of age.BALB/c mice(n=24) treated with vehicle were used as controls.Body weight,blood pressure,blood glucose,urinary microalbumin,urinary creatinine and serum creatinine were measured every four weeks.At 28 weeks,renal expressions of carboxymethyllysine and RAGE were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and/or competitive RT-PCR.Results KK/Ta mice developed high body weight,high blood glucose,and high urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio in KK/Ta mice at 28 weeks of age,and it was significantly higher than that of BALB/c mice [(427.49±89.37)mg/g vs (9.54±3.25)mg/g,P＜0.01 ].Protein and mRNA expressions of RAGE were upregulated in KK/Ta kidneys with increased immunostaining intensities of carboxymethyllysine.Candesartan treatment has markedly reduced urinary microalbumin/creatinine ratio [Early treatment group (32.18±9.41)mg/g,Late treatment group (53.20±7.26)mg/g,P＜0.01 ].Treatment with candesartan down-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of RAGE and reduced the accumulation of carboxymethyllysine.There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups (from 6 or 12 weeks).ConclusionsThe results suggest that candesartan,an ARB,reduces advanced glycation end-products accumulation and subsequent albuminuria by down-regulating RAGE expression in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mouse kidneys.

Effect of losartan on the glomerular protein expression profile of type 2 diabetic KKAy mice / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To investigate the effects of angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB)losartan on the glomerular protein expression profile of spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice by two-dimensional differential gel eleetrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.Methods 8-week-old spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice were randomly divided into losartan (10 mg·kg-1·d-1 given in drinking water) treatment group and non-treatment group.Eight-week-old C57BL/6 mice were used as normal control.The glomeruli were separated by magnetic bead perfusion through thoracic aorta at age of 20 weeks,then glomerular protein was extracted.The glomerular protein expression profile was investigated by CyDyes minimal fluorescence labelling,two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.Results KKAy mice developed higher body weight and blood glucose,higher urinary microalbumin creatinine ratio at age of 20 weeks than C57BL/6 mice at the same age (all P＜0.05).Losartan treatment markedly reduced urinary microalbumin creatinine ratio [(539.71 ±100.23)mg/g vs (728±177.19) mg/g],attenuated mesangial expansion and the thickening of glomerular basement membrane,but had no effect on the blood glucose.By DeCyder 2-D differential analysis software,62 protein spots of differential expression were found in glomeruli between losartan treatment and non-treatment KKAy mice at age of 20 weeks.Among them,41 proteins were identified by peptide mass fingerprinting.The expressions of 28 proteins were up-regulated by losartan treatment,including glycerokinase,sulfite oxidase,glycine amidinotransferase,adenosylhomocysteinase,etc.The expressions of 13proteins were down-regulaled by losartan treatment,including 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase,ATP synthase subunit d,60 000 heat shock protein,stress-70 protein (alternative name 75 000glucose-regulated protein,GRP75),etc.Six differcntially expressed proteins were found in glomeruli between non-treatment KKAy mice and C57BL/6 mice,and the differential expressions were suppressed by losartan treatment,including dihydrolipoyllysine-residue acetyltransferase component of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex,succinyl-CoA ligase (GDP-forming) subunit beta,mitochondrial,ATP synthase subunit d,GRP75,nucleoside diphosphate-linked moiety X motif 19 and seleniumbinding protein 1.Conclusions Losartan significantly reduces the urinary protein excretion rate and renal pathological lesion of spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKAy mice,and suppresses the differential expression of mitochondrial ATP synthase subunit d,GRP75,selenium-binding protein 1,etc in glomeruli.Losartan may play a renoproteetive role by reducing glomerular mitochondrial reactive oxygen species genesis and inhibiting oxidative stress.

The glomerular microRNA expression profile in spontaneous type 2 diabetes KKAy mice and the effect of losartan treatment / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To identify susceptible miRNAs for the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and the molecular targets of losartan treatment. Methods The 8-week age KKAy mice were divided into losartan treatment group (10 mg· kg-1· d-1) and non-treatment group,C57BL/6 mice were used as the control group.At age of 20 weeks,body weight,random blood glucose,urinary albumin and urinary creatinine were tested,and kidney morphology was observed.Glomeroli were separated by magnetic beads perfusion,and total RNA were extracted.MiRNAs expression profiles were analyzed by the Affymetrix GeneChip miRNAs arrays. Results At age of 20 weeks,KKAy mice developed higher body weight,higher blood glucose and higher urinary microalbumin creatinine ratio than C57BL/6 mice,and the glomerular basement membrane thickened,mesangial matrix widened.Losartan treatment markedly improved the level of urinary albumin creatinine ratio [(539.71±100.23) mg/g vs (728±177.19) mg/g,P＜0.05)] and pathological lesion of KKAy mice.The miRNA array analysis showed that there were 22 miRNAs differentially expressed between KKAy non-treatment mice and C57BL/6 mice glomeruli at age of 20 weeks.Among them,10 miRNAs were up-regulated,and 12 miRNAs were down-regulated.The expression of 4 miRNAs was down-regulated in glumeruli of KKAy mice treated by losartan compared with that of non-treatment mice.The expressions of miRNA-503 and miRNA-181d were significantly up-regulated in the glumeruli of KKAy mice and inhibited by losartan treatment, Conclusion The expressions of miRNA-503 and miRNA-181d are significantly up-regulated in the glumeruli of KKAy mice and inhibited by losartan treatment,which may be new therapeutic targets of DN.

Syndecan-4 is a candidate gene for diabetic nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

Objective To identify the candidate genes in the vicinity of a susceptibility locus (urinary albumin 1,UA-1) contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mice. Methods Total RNA was extracted from the kidneys of KK/Ta (n=3) and BALB/c (n=2) mice at 20 weeks of age.The gene expression profile in kidney was investigated using the Affymetrix Murine Genome U74Av2 array.Competitive RT-PCR was used to confirm the differential expression of syndecan-4 which located in the vicinity of UA-1.Genome DNA was extracted from KK/Ta and BALB/c mice.DNA sequence analysis of the coding and promotor region of syndecan-4 gene was conducted. Results In the vicinity of the susceptibility locus (UA-1)contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetic KK/Ta mice,10 candidate genes that showed differential expression were identified.Among them,the gene expression of syndecan-4in KK/Ta kidneys at 20 weeks of age was up-regulated by 26.1 times of age-matched BALB/c kidneys.Sequence analysis revealed two synonymous polymorphisms in the coding region (A93C and T216C) and three polymorphisms in the promoter region (-T263C,-T396C and -G669A) of the syndecan-4 gene.The TATA box was found at 321 bp upstream from the transcription start site,and the T263C polymorphism was located in the binding site of transcription factor Clox.Conclusions Syndecan-4 gene is mapped in the vicinity of the susceptibility locus contributing to the development of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes.The gene expression of syndecan-4 in KK/Ta kidneys is up-regulated than that in age-matched BALB/c kidneys at 20 weeks of age.Thus syndecan-4 may be one of the potential candidate genes responsible for diabetic nephropathy.Sequence differences in the promoter region influence the expression levels of syndecan-4 genes in KK/Ta kidneys.

The temporal and spatial expression patterns of adipsin, a candidate gene for diabetic nephropathy / 中国医师杂志

ObjectiveWith a GcneChip(R) cxpression analysis,98 known gencs and 31 exprcssed sequence tags (ESTs) were found to be differentially expressed between KK/Ta and BALB/c kidneys.To further screen the susceptibility genes for diabetic nephropathy,the temporal and spatial expression patterns of differentially expressed gene-adipsin were investigated.MethodsThe body weight,blood glucose,urinary albumin/creatinine ratio,and renal pathological changes of KK/Ta and BALB/c mice were measured at the 7,20,28 and 36 weeks of age.Total RNA was extracted from the kidney,heart,liver,lung,and brain.The temporal and spatial expression patterns of adipsin in diabetic KK/Ta mice were examined by competitive RT-PCR.The correlation analysis between adipsin expression and albuminuria level was carried out.ResultsThe mRNA expression of adipsin was found in the kidney,heart,lung,and brain,but not in liver.The expression of adipsin in diabetic KK/Ta mice at 20 weeks of age was significantly down-regulated in kidney,heart,and lung than that in age-matched BALB/c mice,and unaltered in brain.Adipsin expression in KK/Ta kidneys was significantly down-regulated with aging and negatively correlated to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio( r =-0.807,P ＜ 0.05).ConclusionsThe expression of adipsin mRNA was downregulated in kidney,heart,and lung in diabetic state.Adipsin expression in KK/Ta kidneys was negatively correlated to urinary albumin/creatinine ratio.It might be a candidate gene for diabetic nephropathy.