Apocynin inhibited NLRP3/XIAP signalling to alleviate renal fibrotic injury in rat diabetic nephropathy

Publication date: October 2018Source: Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, Volume 106Author(s): Rui Xin, Xuhong Sun, Ziying Wang, Wendan Yuan, Weidong Jiang, Lin Wang, Yanxiao Xiang, Hongqin Zhang, Xiaoyan Li, Yun Hou, Wangnan Sun, Pengchao DuAbstractAimsIn this animal study, we tried to test the hypothesis that apocynin could play an anti-inflammation role by inhibiting NLRP3/X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP) signalling and have an effect on antifibrosis in rats with diabetic nephropathy.Main methodsDiabetic nephropathy rats were induced by tail-vein injection of streptozotocin at 60 mg/kg body weight in sodium citrate buffer (0.01 M, pH 4.5) with unrestricted access to food/water for 12 weeks, and rats with blood glucose levels above 18.0 mM were considered diabetic; the damage index for glomerular mesangial cells damage index was calculated by morphological examinations; protein and mRNA changes were analysed by western blotting immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction; interstitial fibrosis was assessed and scored using Masson’s staining.Key findingsIn rats with diabetic nephropathy, apocynin (1) reduced renal injury and improved renal function; (2) downregulated the expression of NLRP3 in renal cortex; (3) downregulated the expression of XIAP in renal cortex; and (4) attenuated renal fibrosis.SignificanceAs an inhibitor of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apocynin could downregulate the expression of NLRP3 and XIAP, and allev...
Source: Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research