Shanghai Jiaotong Daxue xuebao. Yixue ban (Feb 2024)
Effect of neferine on diabetic nephropathy by regulating SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway
Abstract
Objective·To investigate the effect of neferine (Nef) on renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and its related mechanism.Methods·DN model rats were constructed by feeding high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin, and the successfully constructed rats were randomly divided into DN group, Nef (low, medium and high) dose groups and Nef high-dose+pathway antagonist (AMD3100) group, with 10 rats in each group. At the same time, 10 common rats were selected as the normal group. The levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), 24 h urinary protein, serum glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum creatinine (Scr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and renal index of rats in the six groups were measured. Hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissues. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) in renal tissues was determined by thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in renal tissues were determined by water soluble tetrazolium (WST-1) method and ammonium molybdate method, respectively. The mRNA and protein expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) and CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) in renal tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and Western blotting, respectively. Rat renal tubular epithelium cells NRK-52E were induced by high glucose (30 mmol/L glucose) to establish DN cell model. The cells were divided into control group, high glucose (HG) group, HG+Nef (low, medium and high) dose (i.e.HG+Nef-L, M and H) group, and HG+Nef-H +AMD3100 group. SOD and CAT activities were detected by WST-1 method and ammonium molybdate method, respectively. MDA content was detected by TBA method. The mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were detected by qPCR and Western blotting, respectively. CCK-8 method and flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis rate, respecti-vely.Results·Compared with the DN group, the levels of FBG, 24 h urinary protein, HbA1c, Scr, BUN, renal index and MDA content in Nef (low, medium and high) dose groups and Nef high-dose+AMD3100 group were decreased, the mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased, and the activities of SOD and CAT were increased (all P<0.05). The degree of pathological damage and fibrosis of renal tissues was reduced; all of the above changes were dose-dependent. AMD3100 could weaken the renal protective effect of high-dose Nef on DN rats. Compared with the HG group, NRK-52E cell viability, SOD and CAT activities, and the mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased in HG+Nef-L, M and H groups, while apoptosis rate and MDA content were decreased (all P<0.05). AMD3100 could reverse the protective effect of Nef-H on NRK-52E cell damage.Conclusion·Nef may control blood glucose levels on DN rats and improve antioxidant capacity by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway, playing a renal protective role.
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