Carvedilol protects against apoptotic cell death induced by cisplatin in renal tubular epithelial cells.

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug; however, its use is limited by nephrotoxicity. Studies showed that the renal injury produced by cisplatin involves oxidative stress and cell death mediated by apoptosis and necrosis in proximal tubular cells. The use of antioxidants to decrease cisplatin-induced renal cell death was suggested as a potential therapeutic measure. In this study the possible protective effects of carvedilol, a beta blocker with antioxidant activity, was examined against cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HK-2 human kidney proximal tubular cells. The mitochondrial events involved in this protection were also investigated. Four groups were used: controls (C), cisplatin alone at 25 µM (CIS), cisplatin 25 µM plus carvedilol 50 µM (CV + CIS), and carvedilol alone 50 µM (CV). Cell viability, apoptosis, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were determined. Data demonstrated that carvedilol effectively increased cell viability and minimized caspase activation and apoptosis in HK-2 cells, indicating this may be a promising drug to reduce nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin.

Low-molecular-mass peptides from the venom of the Amazonian viper Bothrops atrox protect against brain mitochondrial swelling in rat: potential for neuroprotection.

The neurodegenerative diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Common mechanisms of toxicity involving mitochondrial damage have been suggested; however, a definitive treatment has not yet been found. Therefore, there has been great interest in the development of mitochondria-targeted protective compounds for the treatment of neuropathies. Animal toxins represent a promising source of new molecules with neuroprotective activity and potential to originate new drugs. We present here the effects of a low-molecular-mass peptides fraction (Ba-V) from Bothrops atrox snake venom, on rat brain mitochondrial function. Ba-V did not induce the mitochondrial swelling and moreover, was as effective as cyclosporin A (CsA) to inhibit the calcium/phosphate-induced swelling, which indicates its potential to prevent the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The membrane electrochemical potential, the oxygen consumption during states-3 and -4 respirations as well as the respiratory control ratio (RCR) were not affected by Ba-V. Additionally, Ba-V did not induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Interestingly, Ba-V did not protect against the generation of ROS induced by t-BOH, which suggests a protection mechanism other than ROS scavenging. Given the important role of the mitochondrial damage and, more specifically, of MPT, in the development of neuropathies, Ba-V might be useful in the future strategies for the treatment of these diseases.