Mechanism of Mitochondrial Kinetic Imbalance and Nrf2 Signaling Pathway-Mediated Oxidative Stress in Nickel and/or Chromium-Induced Kidney Injury in Mice
Jun Du,
Zhengqing Li,
Xianhong Cao,
Qiurong Qi,
Luqi Wang,
Ping Liu,
Yifei Chen,
Guoliang Hu,
Xiaoquan Guo,
Xiaona Gao
Affiliations
Jun Du
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Zhengqing Li
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Xianhong Cao
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Qiurong Qi
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Luqi Wang
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Ping Liu
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Yifei Chen
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Guoliang Hu
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Xiaoquan Guo
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Xiaona Gao
Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory for Animal Health, Institute of Animal Population Health, College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
Nickel and chromium are both common heavy metals that pose serious environmental and health hazards. However, the exact mechanism by which nickel and/or chromium cause renal injury is unclear. Therefore, we explored the molecular mechanisms of renal injury caused by nickel and/or chromium poisoning from the perspective of mitochondrial dynamics and the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway. In this study, eighty 6-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: control (Con, untreated), nickel (Ni, 110 mg/L Ni2+), chromium (Cr, 50 mg/L Cr6+), and combined nickel–chromium (Ni + Cr, 110 mg/L Ni2+, 50 mg/L Cr6+). The results showed that chronic nickel and/or chromium exposure inhibited body weight gain and impaired kidney function and structure in mice. Chronic nickel and/or chromium exposure led to the disruption of mitochondrial dynamics and thus induced oxidative stress. On the other hand, the Nrf2 antioxidant pathway may play an important regulatory role in mitigating oxidative stress-induced oxidative damage in kidney. The present study partially elucidated the molecular mechanism of renal injury induced by nickel and/or chromium exposure in mice and the regulatory role of the Nrf2 pathway in inducing oxidative injury from the perspective of mitochondrial dynamics. This provides a theoretical basis for the development of prevention and control strategies, and environmental protection measures.
