Relaxin Attenuates Contrast-Induced Human Proximal Tubular Epithelial Cell Apoptosis by Activation of the PI3K/Akt Signaling Pathway In Vitro.

Background. Contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CI-AKI) is one of the main causes of iatrogenic acute kidney injury (AKI); however, therapeutic strategies for AKI remain limited. This study aims to explore the effect of relaxin (RLX) on contrast-induced HK-2 apoptosis and its underlying mechanisms. Methods. Renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) were incubated either with or without ioversol, human H2 relaxin, and LY294002 (the inhibitor of the PI3K/Akt signal pathway). Cell viability was evaluated with a CCK-8 assay. Apoptotic morphologic alterations were observed using the Hoechst 33342 staining method. Apoptosis was detected with Annexin V staining. Western blot analysis was employed to measure the expression of pAkt (S473), Akt, cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, Bax, and actin proteins. Results. Ioversol reduced the viability of HK-2 cells. Western blotting results revealed decreased expression of phosphorylated Akt in cells treated with ioversol. The activities of caspase-3 and Bax protein increased, while the expression of Bcl-2 protein decreased. As a result, the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio increased after treatment with ioversol. These effects were reversed when HK-2 cells were cotreated with RLX. However, with preadministration of PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor LY294002, the effect of RLX was blocked. Conclusion. Our study demonstrates that relaxin attenuates ioversol induced cell apoptosis via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting that RLX might play a protective role in the treatment of CI-AKI.

Relaxin attenuates aristolochic acid induced human tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in vitro by activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Aristolochic acid nephropathy remains a leading cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD), however few treatment strategies exist. Emerging evidence has shown that H2 relaxin (RLX) possesses powerful antifibrosis and anti-apoptotic properties, therefore we aimed to investigate whether H2 relaxin can be employed to reduce AA-induced cell apoptosis. Human proximal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells exposed to AA-I were treated with or without administration of H2 RLX. Cell viability was examined using the WST-8 assay. Apoptotic morphologic alterations were observed using the Hoechst 33342 staining method. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. The expression of caspase 3, caspase 8, caspase 9, ERK1/2, Bax, Bcl-2, and Akt proteins was determined by Western blot. Co-treatment with RLX reversed the increased apoptosis observed in the AA-I only treated group. RLX restored expression of phosphorylated Akt which found to be decreased in the AA-I only treated cells. RLX co-treatment led to a decrease in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio as well as the cleaved form of caspase-3 compared to the AA-I only treated cells. This anti-apoptotic effect of RLX was attenuated by co-administration of the Akt inhibitor LY294002. The present study demonstrated H2 RLX can decrease AA-I induced apoptosis through activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

[Cyst puncture aspiration in 40 cases of abdominal echinococcosis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of cyst puncture aspiration in treating abdominal echinococcosis. METHOD: A retrospective analysis was performed in 40 cases of abdominal echinococcosis with formation of isolated single cyst in close adhesion with the abdominal wall, for which cyst puncture aspiration was carried out under ultrasound guidance. RESULTS: No death occurred in these patients and only 15 developed mild fever. The days for antibiotic use, jaundice resolution, bile secretion, time of extubation and hospital stay were 2.88+/-0.65, 3.50+/-0.71, 4.25+/-0.96, 5.38+/-0.98 and 9.35+/-1.08 days, respectively. Ultrasound examination in the follow-up showed no relapse in these patients, with the time of the residue adhesive cyst closure and calcification of 4.50+/-1.13 and 13.90+/-2.38 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: Cyst puncture aspiration under ultrasound guidance produces good therapeutic effects on abdominal echinococcosis with isolated single cyst closely adhering to the abdominal wall.