TRPC6 involves in endoplasmic reticulum stress induced apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the role and mechanism of TRPC6 in apoptosis of glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1) induced by endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS). 【Methods】 The experiment groups were classified as follows: normal control (NC), thapsigargin (TG), TG+SKF96365, and TG+TRPC6 siRNA groups. Transcription and protein expressions of TRPC6 and ERS related proteins (GRP78 and Caspase12) were detected by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Additionally, cell apoptosis was measured by flow cytometry and Hoechst33258. Finally, Fluo-4 AM Ca2+ imaging technique was used to determine changes of intracellular calcium ( [Ca2+] i) by laser scanning confocal microscope. 【Results】 Morphological changes of apoptotic cells were characterized by nuclear enrichment or nuclear fragmentation, and the apoptosis rate was increased after TG stimulation. The expressions of TRPC6 and ERS related proteins (GRP78 and Caspase12) were elevated in TG group compared with NC group (P<0.05). Pre-incubation of HBZY-1 cells with SKF96365 and TRPC6 siRNA decreased cell apoptosis (P<0.05). The entry of [Ca2+] i also increased after TG stimulation (P<0.05). The expressions of TRPC6, GRP78 and Caspase12 were downregulated compared with TG group after treatment with SKF96365 and TRPC6 siRNA accompanied by decreased [Ca2+] i (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Taken together, this study suggests that inhibition of TRPC6 can alleviate TG-induced HBZY-1 cell apoptosis.

Mechanism of TRPC in promoting extracellular matrix deposition of glomerular mesangial cells / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

【Objective】 To explore the role and mechanism of TRPC in promoting extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in rat glomerular mesangial cells (HBZY-1). Methods Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe the distribution and expression of TRPC1 and TRPC6 in HBZY-1 cells. After AngⅡ stimulation, qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of Gαq/PLCβ4/TRPC signaling pathway main proteins and ECM deposition indicators (α-SMA, collagenⅢ and fibronectin). By silencing the expressions of TRPC1 and TRPC6 by RNA interference, the expressions of ECM deposition indicators were detected. Changes in [Ca2+]i influx were determined through Fluo-4AM Ca2+ imaging. 【Results】 Both TRPC1 and TRPC6 were expressed in HBZY-1, and were mainly located in cell membrane and cytoplasm. After AngⅡ stimulation, Gαq/PLCβ4/TRPC signaling pathway was activated, and the mRNA and protein expressions of Gαq, PLCβ4, TRPC1 and TRPC6 were all increased (P<0.05). [Ca2+]i influx also increased (P<0.01), and the mRNA and protein expressions of ECM deposition indicators (α-SMA, ColⅢ and Fn) were upregulated (P<0.05). Silencing the expressions of TRPC1 and TRPC6 by RNA interference led to decreased [Ca2+]i influx (P<0.05), and downregulated mRNA and protein expressions of ECM deposition indicators in HBZY-1 cells (P<0.05). The results suggested that inhibition of TRPC expressions could inhibit AngⅡ induced ECM deposition in HBZY-1 cells, which might be associated with decreased [Ca2+]i influx. 【Conclusion】 TRPC may be a novel therapeutic target of renal fibrosis.

Diagnosis and treatment recommendations of dialysis patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection for primary care clinicians / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis (HD) and home peritoneal dialysis (PD) are high risk population of severe and critical types caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In order to improve the quality of diagnosis and treatment in dialysis patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, we wrote this recommendation for primary care clinicians. During the epidemic period of SARS-CoV-2 infection, all patients should be instructed to strengthen self-management. Once the SARS-CoV-2 infection was found in dialysis patients, early stratified management should be carried out within 72 hours after the first positive nucleic acid or antigen test results, which includes early antiviral therapy, early recognition, and transferring severe patients from community or primary hospital to a referral hospital promptly. Guidance for dietary and sports rehabilitation after SARS-CoV-2 infection should also be started as soon as possible.

Sorafenib ameliorates renal fibrosis through inhibition of TGF-β/Smad pathway / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

Objective To investigate the effect of sorafenib in ameliorating renal fibrosis and its possible mechanisms.Methods Rats were subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO ) and intragastrically administered sorafenib.NRK-52E cells were treated with transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1)and sorafenib. HE staining was used to visualize renal fibrosis.α-SMA and E-cadherin expressions in kidney tissue and NRK-52E cells were performed using immunofluorescence.The cell cycle of NRK-52E cells was determined by flow cytometry analysis.Smad3 and p-Smad3 protein expressions in NRK-52E cells were detected by Western blot analysis. Results HE staining showed that kidney interstitial fibrosis,tubular atrophy,and inflammatory cell infiltration in the sorafenib-treated UUO groups were significantly decreased compared with the vehicle-treated UUO group (P<0.05).Compared with those in UUO and TGF-β-stimulated NRK-52E groups,the expression of a-SMA decreased but E-cadherin expression increased in the UUO kidneys and NRK-52E cells of the sorafenib-treated groups (P<0.05).After 24 h stimulation with TGF-β1 5 ng/mL,the number of cell cycles arrested in G0/G1 phase was significantly increased and the number of cells that entered G2 ,S phase decreased (P<0 .0 5 ).Compared with that in TGF-β-stimulated NRK-52E groups, p-Smad3 decreased in the sorafenib-treated groups (P<0.05). Conclusion Our results suggest that sorafenib may be useful for the treatment of renal fibrosis through suppressing TGF-β/Smad3 signaling.

Effects of Qufengtongluo Recipe on expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat mesangial cells / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Qufengtongluo Recipe (QFTLR) on the expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat mesangial cells (MCs) in vitro and investigate the mechanism by which QFTLR inhibits MC proliferation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Using the methods of serum pharmacology, we studied the expressions of cell cycle regulatory proteins in rat MCs treated with QFTLR by laser scanning confocal microscope and immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the normal control cells, the cells challenged with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) showed significantly enhanced expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 (P<0.01) and obviously lowered protein expression of P27 (P<0.01). Treatment of the LPS-challenged cells with QFTLR and benazepril both resulted in significantly attenuated expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 and obvious increase of P27 expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but QFTLR produced stronger effects than benazepril in regulating of cyclinD1, P21 and P27 protein expressions (P<0.05 or P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>QFTLR inhibits rat MC proliferation in vitro possibly by down-regulating the cellular expressions of cyclin D1, CDK2, and P21 and up-regulating the expression of P27 protein.</p>

The effect of Levocarnitine on nutritional status and lipid metabolism during long-term maintenance hemodialysis / 药物分析学报

Objective To investigate the effect of Levocarnitine on lipid metabolism and nutritional status of maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients and possible mechanism. Methods A total of 40 MHD patients [mean age (53.5±7.1) years] who underwent normal hemodialysis more than 6 months were randomly classified into two groups, Levocarnitine supplemented group (LS-G) (n=20; Levocarnitine supplementation after each normal hemodialysis session, at a dose of 1.0 g/day by intravenous administration) and control group (C-G) (n=20; normal hemodialysis). Before treatment, one month and three months after treatment we respectively measured or observed the following items, the tolerance to hemodialysis, carnitine level in plasma, C-reactive protein, IL-6, TNF-α, percentage of neutrophil, and some relevant nutritional parameters, such as lipid profile, transferrin, total protein, albumin and prealbumin levels. Comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups. Results In LS-G three months after treatment, the levels of carnitine, hemoglobin, and prealbumin in plasma were significantly increased (P<0.05), but C-reactive protein, neutrophil percentage, low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride were significantly decreased (P<0.05) in contrast to those in C-G and before treatment. Transferrin, total protein, and albumin were elevated in LS-G, with no statistical significance. Conclusion There was a significant improvement of lipid metabolism and nutritional status for the long-term maintenance hemodialysis patients with Levocarnitine supplementation. And this improvement is related to the decrease of inflammatory factors.