Comparative effects of calcitriol and calcimimetic on bone health in renal insufficiency.

Calcitriol and calcimimetics are used to treat hyperparathyroidism secondary to chronic kidney disease (CKD). Calcitriol administration and the subsequent increase in serum calcium concentration decrease parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, which should reduce bone remodeling. We have previously reported that, when maintaining a given concentration of PTH, the addition of calcimimetics is associated with an increased bone cell activity. Whether calcitriol administration affects bone cell activity while PTH is maintained constant should be evaluated in an animal model of renal osteodystrophy. The aim of the present study was to compare in CKD PTH-clamped rats the bone effects of calcitriol and calcimimetic administration. The results show that the administration of calcitriol and calcimimetic at doses that induced a similar reduction in PTH secretion produced dissimilar effects on osteoblast activity in 5/6 nephrectomized (Nx) rats with secondary hyperparathyroidism and in Nx rats with clamped PTH. Remarkably, in both rat models, the administration of calcitriol decreased osteoblastic activity, whereas calcimimetic increased bone cell activity. In vitro, calcitriol supplementation inhibited nuclear translocation of ß-catenin and reduced proliferation, osteogenesis, and mineralization in mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into osteoblasts. In conclusion, besides the action of calcitriol and calcimimetics at parathyroid level, these treatments have specific effects on bone cells that are independent of the PTH level.

Novel Biomarkers of Bone Metabolism.

Bone represents a metabolically active tissue subject to continuous remodeling orchestrated by the dynamic interplay between osteoblasts and osteoclasts. These cellular processes are modulated by a complex interplay of biochemical and mechanical factors, which are instrumental in assessing bone remodeling. This comprehensive evaluation aids in detecting disorders arising from imbalances between bone formation and reabsorption. Osteoporosis, characterized by a reduction in bone mass and strength leading to heightened bone fragility and susceptibility to fractures, is one of the more prevalent chronic diseases. Some epidemiological studies, especially in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), have identified an association between osteoporosis and vascular calcification. Notably, low bone mineral density has been linked to an increased incidence of aortic calcification, with shared molecules, mechanisms, and pathways between the two processes. Certain molecules emerging from these shared pathways can serve as biomarkers for bone and mineral metabolism. Detecting and evaluating these alterations early is crucial, requiring the identification of biomarkers that are reliable for early intervention. While traditional biomarkers for bone remodeling and vascular calcification exist, they suffer from limitations such as low specificity, low sensitivity, and conflicting results across studies. In response, efforts are underway to explore new, more specific biomarkers that can detect alterations at earlier stages. The aim of this review is to comprehensively examine some of the emerging biomarkers in mineral metabolism and their correlation with bone mineral density, fracture risk, and vascular calcification as well as their potential use in clinical practice.

Magnesium supplementation reduces inflammation in rats with induced chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is a common feature in chronic kidney disease (CKD) that appears specifically associated with cardiovascular derangements in CKD patients. Observational studies have revealed a link between low Mg levels and inflammation. In this study, we hypothesize that Mg might have a modulatory effect on the inflammation induced under the uraemic milieu. METHODS: In vivo studies were performed in a 5/6 nephrectomized rat model of CKD. Furthermore, a possible direct effect of Mg was addressed through in vitro studies with vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). RESULTS: Uraemic rats fed a normal (0.1%) Mg diet showed a systemic inflammatory response evidenced by the elevation in plasma of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6, and GPx activity, a marker of oxidative stress. Importantly, an increased expression of these cytokines in the aortic tissue was also observed. In contrast, a dietary Mg supplementation (0.6%) greatly prevented the oxidative stress and the pro-inflammatory response. In vitro, in VSMCs cultured in a pro-inflammatory high phosphate medium, incubation with Mg 1.6 mM inhibited the increase in the production of ROS, the rise in the expression of TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-8 and the activation of NF-κB signalling that was observed in cells incubated with a normal (0.8 mM) Mg. CONCLUSION: Mg supplementation reduced inflammation associated with CKD, exerting a direct effect on vascular cells. These findings support a possible beneficial effect of Mg supplementation along the clinical management of CKD patients.

Assessment of Inorganic Phosphate Intake by the Measurement of the Phosphate/Urea Nitrogen Ratio in Urine.

In chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, it would be desirable to reduce the intake of inorganic phosphate (P) rather than limit the intake of P contained in proteins. Urinary excretion of P should reflect intestinal absorption of P(inorganic plus protein-derived). The aim of the present study is to determine whether the ratio of urinary P to urinary urea nitrogen (P/UUN ratio) helps identify patients with a high intake of inorganic P.A cross-sectional study was performed in 71 patients affected by metabolic syndrome with CKD (stages 2-3) with normal serum P concentration. A 3-day dietary survey was performed to estimate the average daily amount and the source of P ingested. The daily intake ofPwas1086.5 ± 361.3mg/day; 64% contained in animal proteins, 22% in vegetable proteins, and 14% as inorganic P. The total amount of P ingested did not correlate with daily phosphaturia, but it did correlate with the P/UUN ratio (p < 0.018). Patients with the highest tertile of the P/UUN ratio >71.1 mg/g presented more abundant inorganic P intake (p < 0.038).The P/UUN ratio is suggested to be a marker of inorganic P intake. This finding might be useful in clinical practices to identify the source of dietary P and to make personalized dietary recommendations directed to reduce inorganic P intake.

The Role of Disturbed Mg Homeostasis in Chronic Kidney Disease Comorbidities.

Some of the critical mechanisms that mediate chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression are associated with vascular calcifications, disbalance of mineral metabolism, increased oxidative and metabolic stress, inflammation, coagulation abnormalities, endothelial dysfunction, or accumulation of uremic toxins. Also, it is widely accepted that pathologies with a strong influence in CKD progression are diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). A disbalance in magnesium (Mg) homeostasis, more specifically hypomagnesemia, is associated with the development and progression of the comorbidities mentioned above, and some mechanisms might explain why low serum Mg is associated with negative clinical outcomes such as major adverse cardiovascular and renal events. Furthermore, it is likely that hypomagnesemia causes the release of inflammatory cytokines and C-reactive protein and promotes insulin resistance. Animal models have shown that Mg supplementation reverses vascular calcifications; thus, clinicians have focused on the potential benefits that Mg supplementation may have in humans. Recent evidence suggests that Mg reduces coronary artery calcifications and facilitates peripheral vasodilation. Mg may reduce vascular calcification by direct inhibition of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway. Furthermore, Mg deficiency worsens kidney injury induced by an increased tubular load of phosphate. One important consequence of excessive tubular load of phosphate is the reduction of renal tubule expression of α-Klotho in moderate CKD. Low Mg levels worsen the reduction of Klotho induced by the tubular load of phosphate. Evidence to support clinical translation is yet insufficient, and more clinical studies are required to claim enough evidence for decision-making in daily practice. Meanwhile, it seems reasonable to prevent and treat Mg deficiency. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of Mg homeostasis, the potential mechanisms that may mediate the effect of Mg deficiency on CKD progression, CVD, and mortality.

Inflammation, Senescence and MicroRNAs in Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) show a chronic microinflammatory state that promotes premature aging of the vascular system. Currently, there is a growth interest in the search of novel biomarkers related to vascular aging to identify CKD patients at risk to develop cardiovascular complications. METHODS: Forty-five CKD patients were divided into three groups according to CKD-stages [predialysis (CKD4-5), hemodialysis (HD) and kidney transplantation (KT)]. In all these patients, we evaluated the quantitative changes in microRNAs (miRNAs), CD14+C16++ monocytes number, and microvesicles (MV) concentration [both total MV, and monocytes derived MV (CD14+Annexin V+CD16+)]. To understand the molecular mechanism involved in senescence and osteogenic transdifferentation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), these cells were stimulated with MV isolated from THP-1 monocytes treated with uremic toxins (txMV). RESULTS: A miRNA array was used to investigate serum miRNAs profile in CKD patients. Reduced expression levels of miRNAs-126-3p, -191-5p and -223-3p were observed in CKD4-5 and HD patients as compared to KT. This down-regulation disappeared after KT, even when lower glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) persisted. Moreover, HD patients had higher percentage of proinflammatory monocytes (CD14+CD16++) and MV derived of proinflammatory monocytes (CD14+Annexin V+CD16+) than the other groups. In vitro studies showed increased expression of osteogenic markers (BMP2 and miRNA-223-3p), expression of cyclin D1, ß-galactosidase activity and VSMC size in those cells treated with txMV. CONCLUSION: CKD patients present a specific circulating miRNAs expression profile associated with the microinflammatory state. Furthermore, microvesicles generated by monocytes treated with uremic toxins induce early senescence and osteogenic markers (BMP2 and miRNA-223-3p) in VSMC.

Klotho/FGF23 and Wnt Signaling as Important Players in the Comorbidities Associated with Chronic Kidney Disease.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 (FGF23) and Klotho play an essential role in the regulation of mineral metabolism, and both are altered as a consequence of renal failure. FGF23 increases to augment phosphaturia, which prevents phosphate accumulation at the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This effect of FGF23 requires the presence of Klotho in the renal tubules. However, Klotho expression is reduced as soon as renal function is starting to fail to generate a state of FGF23 resistance. Changes in these proteins directly affect to other mineral metabolism parameters; they may affect renal function and can produce damage in other organs such as bone, heart, or vessels. Some of the mechanisms responsible for the changes in FGF23 and Klotho levels are related to modifications in the Wnt signaling. This review examines the link between FGF23/Klotho and Wnt/ß-catenin in different organs: kidney, heart, and bone. Activation of the canonical Wnt signaling produces changes in FGF23 and Klotho and vice versa; therefore, this pathway emerges as a potential therapeutic target that may help to prevent CKD-associated complications.

Identification of the Vasoconstriction-Inhibiting Factor (VIF), a Potent Endogenous Cofactor of Angiotensin II Acting on the Angiotensin II Type 2 Receptor.

BACKGROUND: The renin-angiotensin system and especially the angiotensin peptides play a central role in blood pressure regulation. Here, we hypothesize that an as-yet unknown peptide is involved in the action of angiotensin II modulating the vasoregulatory effects as a cofactor. METHODS AND RESULTS: The peptide with vasodilatory properties was isolated from adrenal glands chromatographically. The effects of this peptide were evaluated in vitro and in vivo, and the receptor affinity was analyzed. The plasma concentration in humans was quantified in patients with chronic kidney disease, patients with heart failure, and healthy control subjects. The amino acid sequence of the peptide from bovine adrenal glands was HSSYEDELSEVL EKPNDQAE PKEVTEEVSSKDAAE, which is a degradation product of chromogranin A. The sequence of the peptide isolated from human plasma was HSGFEDELSEVLENQSSQAELKEAVEEPSSKDVME. Both peptides diminished significantly the vasoconstrictive effect of angiotensin II in vitro. Therefore, we named the peptide vasoconstriction-inhibiting factor (VIF). The vasoregulatory effects of VIF are mediated by the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. VIF impairs angiotensin II-induced phosphorylation of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway but not of extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2. The vasodilatory effects were confirmed in vivo. The plasma concentration was significantly increased in renal patients and patients with heart failure. CONCLUSIONS: VIF is a vasoregulatory peptide that modulates the vasoconstrictive effects of angiotensin II by acting on the angiotensin II type 2 receptor. It is likely that the increase in VIF may serve as a counterregulatory effect to defend against hypertension. The identification of this target may help us to understand the pathophysiology of renal and heart failure and may form a basis for the development of new strategies for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

Cardiotrophin-1 decreases liver apoptosis through calpastatin induction.

BACKGROUND: Cardiotrophin-1 (CT1) has been used to prevent cell death in different models of liver injury in rats. D-galactosamine induces cell death in culture rat and human hepatocytes. The present study evaluated the cytoprotective effects of CT1 in an experimental model of apoptosis induced by D-galactosamine in hepatocytes. METHODS: DNA fragmentation, calpain activity and Western blots of caspase-3, calpastatin and Stat3, and Akt phosphorylation were measured. Stat3 and Akt inhibitors were used to analyze the mechanisms of action of CT1. RESULTS: CT1 caused an increase in Stat3 and Akt phosphorylation and a decrease of DNA fragmentation, calpain activity, and caspase-3 induced by D-galactosamine. The reduction of calpain activity by CT1 was associated with an increase of calpastatin (its endogenous inhibitor). The effects of CT1 were also dependent on the activation of Sta3 or Akt. CONCLUSIONS: CT1 decreases cell death through a mechanism related to Stat3 and Akt phosphorylation and activation of calpastatin in D-galactosamine-treated hepatocytes.

FGF23 fails to inhibit uremic parathyroid glands.

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) modulates mineral metabolism by promoting phosphaturia and decreasing the production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3). FGF23 decreases parathyroid hormone (PTH) mRNA and secretion, but despite a marked elevation in FGF23 in uremia, PTH production increases. Here, we investigated the effect of FGF23 on parathyroid function in normal and uremic hyperplastic parathyroid glands in rats. In normal parathyroid glands, FGF23 decreased PTH production, increased expression of both the parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor and the vitamin D receptor, and reduced cell proliferation. Furthermore, FGF23 induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, which mediates the action of FGF23. In contrast, in hyperplastic parathyroid glands, FGF23 did not reduce PTH production, did not affect expression of the calcium-sensing receptor or vitamin D receptor, and did not affect cell proliferation. In addition, FGF23 failed to activate the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2-mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway in hyperplastic parathyroid glands. We observed very low expression of the FGF23 receptor 1 and the co-receptor Klotho in uremic hyperplastic parathyroid glands, which may explain the lack of response to FGF23 in this tissue. In conclusion, in hyperparathyroidism secondary to renal failure, the parathyroid cells resist the inhibitory effects of FGF23, perhaps as a result of the low expression of FGF23 receptor 1 and Klotho in this condition.

Upregulation of parathyroid VDR expression by extracellular calcium is mediated by ERK1/2-MAPK signaling pathway.

We have previously demonstrated that the activation of rat parathyroid calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) upregulates VDR expression in vivo (Garfia B, Cañadillas S, Luque F, Siendones E, Quesada M, Almadén Y, Aguilera-Tejero E, Rodríguez M. J Am Soc Nephrol 13: 2945-2952, 2002; Rodriguez ME, Almaden Y, Cañadillas S, Canalejo A, Siendones E, Lopez I, Aguilera-Tejero E, Martin D, Rodriguez M. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 292: F1390-F1395, 2007). The present study was designed to characterize the signaling system that mediates the stimulation of parathyroid VDR gene expression by extracellular calcium. Experiments were performed in vitro by the incubation of rat parathyroid glands and in vivo with normal and uremic (Nx) rats receiving injections of CaCl(2) or EDTA to obtain hypercalcemic or hypocalcemic clamps. A high calcium concentration increased VDR expression. The addition of arachidonic acid (AA) to the low-calcium medium produced an increase in VDR mRNA of the same magnitude as that observed with high calcium. The addition of ionophore to the low-calcium medium also increased VDR mRNA expression. High calcium or the addition of AA to the low-calcium medium induced the activation (phosphorylation) of ERK1/2-MAPK. The specific inhibition of the ERK1/2-MAPK activity prevented the stimulation of VDR expression by high calcium or AA. These results suggest that AA regulates parathyroid VDR gene expression through the activation of the ERK1/2-MAPK. CaSR activation induced the activation of transcription factor Sp1, but not of NF-κB p50 or p65 or activator protein-1. The addition of AA to the low-calcium medium increased specific DNA-binding activity of Sp1 to almost the same level as high calcium, which was prevented by the inhibition of ERK1/2. Furthermore, mithramycin A (a Sp1 inhibitor) prevented the upregulation of VDR mRNA by high calcium. Finally, both sham and Nx hypercalcemic rats showed similar increased levels of VDR mRNA compared with sham and Nx hypocalcemic rats. Our results demonstrate that extracellular calcium stimulates VDR expression in parathyroid glands through the elevation of the cytosolic calcium level and the stimulation of the PLA(2)-AA-dependent ERK1/2-pathway. Furthermore, the transcription factor Sp1 mediates this effect.

Melatonin prevents brain oxidative stress induced by obstructive jaundice in rats.

The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of melatonin on brain oxidative stress in experimental biliary obstruction. Cholestasis was done by a double ligature and section of the extrahepatic biliary duct. Melatonin was injected intraperitoneally (500 microg/kg/day). Malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) contents were determined in the brain tissue. Biliary obstruction raised MDA and reduced GSH contents in the cortex, cerebellum, and hypothalamus areas. Moreover, the scavenger enzyme activity significantly dropped in all areas of the brain. Melatonin drastically reduced MDA concentration and enhanced GSH concentration, as well as all antioxidant enzyme activity in all brain areas obtained from the bile duct-ligated animals. In conclusion, the treatment with melatonin decreased lipid peroxidation and recovered the antioxidant status in the brain from cholestatic animals.

Ovariectomy exacerbates oxidative stress and cardiopathy induced by adriamycin.

Ovarian hormone depletion in ovariectomized experimental animals is a useful model with which to study the physiopathological consequences of menopause in women. It has been suggested that menopause is a risk factor for the induction of several cardiovascular disorders. In the present study we analyzed the effects of ovarian hormone depletion by ovariectomy (OVX) in a model of oxidative stress and cardiopathy induced by adriamycin (AD). To evaluate these effects, we measured parameters related to cardiac damage (creatinine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase) and oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, reduced glutathione, nitric oxide and carbonyl proteins) in cardiac tissue and erythrocytes. OVX was found to alter all markers of oxidative stress and cell damage in cardiac tissue. Similarly, the OVX-derived loss of ovarian hormones enhanced cardiac damage and oxidative stress induced by AD. Our results suggest that antioxidant status in cardiac tissue and erythrocytes is seriously compromised by OVX during the cardiomyopathy induced by AD in experimental animals. In conclusion, the absence of hormones caused by OVX or menopause may induce or accelerate pre-existing cardiovascular dysfunctions.