Hydrogen protects against chronic intermittent hypoxia induced renal dysfunction by promoting autophagy and alleviating apoptosis

Publication date: Available online 2 April 2019Source: Life SciencesAuthor(s): Peng Guan, Zhi-Min Sun, Li-Fei Luo, Jian Zhou, Shengchang Yang, Ya-Shuo Zhao, Fu-Yang Yu, Ji-Ren An, Na Wang, En-Sheng JiAbstractAimsHydrogen gas (H2) has a diversity of effects such as anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. However, molecular mechanism underlying the potential effect of H2 on chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) induced renal injury remains obscure.Materials and methodsIn the present study, adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into four groups: control (CON) group, CIH group, CIH with H2 treatment (CIH + H2) group, and control with H2 treatment (CON + H2) group. Oxidative stress, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress were detected to determine how H2 affected the renal function of CIH exposed rats.Key findingsWe demonstrated that rats who inhale hydrogen gas showed improved renal function, alleviated pathological damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis in CIH rats. Meanwhile, CIH-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress was decreased by H2 as the expressions of CHOP, caspase-12, and GRP78 were down-regulated. Furthermore, relative higher levels of LC3-II/I ratio and Beclin-1, with decreased expression of p62, were found after H2 administrated. Inhibition of mTOR may be involved in the upregulation of autophagy by H2. Finally, increased phosphorylation of p38 and JNK was involved in the CIH-induced pathological process. H2 coul...
Source: Life Sciences - Category: Biology Source Type: research