BackgroundUric acid (UA) plays important roles in inducing renal inflammation, intra-renal vasoconstriction and renal damage. Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a well-known profibrotic factor in the kidney and is associated with fibroblast expansion. We examined the role of hyperuricemia conditions in causing elevation of ET-1 expression and kidney injury.MethodsHyperuricemia was induced in mice using daily intraperitoneal injection of uric acid 125 mg/Kg body weight. An NaCl injection was used in control mice. Mice were euthanized on days-7 (UA7) and 14 (UA14). We also added allopurinol groups (UAL7 and UAL14) with supplementation of allopurinol 50 mg/Kg body weight orally. Uric acid and creatinine serum were measured from blood serum. Periodic Acid Schiff (PAS) and Sirius Red staining were done for glomerulosclerosis, tubular injury and fibrosis quantification. mRNA expression examination was performed for nephrin, podocin, preproEndothelin-1 (ppET-1), MCP-1 and ICAM-1. PDGFRβ immunostaining was done for quantification of fibroblast, while α-SMA immunostaining was done for localizing myofibroblast. Western blot analysis was conducted to quantify TGF-β1, α-SMA and Endothelin A Receptor (ETAR) protein expression.ResultsUric acid and creatinine levels were elevated after 7 and 14 days and followed by significant increase of glomerulosclerosis and tubular injury score in the uric acid group (p < 0.05 vs. control). Both UA7 and UA14 groups had higher fibrosis, tubular injury and glomerulosclerosis with significant increase of fibroblast cell number compared with control. RT-PCR revealed down-regulation of nephrin and podocin expression (p < 0.05 vs. control), and up-regulation of MCP-1, ET-1 and ICAM-1 expression (p < 0.05 vs. control). Western blot revealed higher expression of TGF-β1 and α-SMA protein expression. Determination of allopurinol attenuated kidney injury was based on reduction of fibroblast cell number, inflammation mediators and ppET-1 expression with reduction of TGF-β1 and α-SMA protein expression.ConclusionsUA induced glomerulosclerosis, tubular injury and renal fibrosis with reduction of podocyte function and inflammatory mediator elevation. ET-1 and fibroblast expansion might modulate hyperuricemia induced renal fibrosis.

Monosodium glutamate (MSG) is believed to exert deleterious effects on various organs, including the hippocampus, likely via the oxidative stress pathway. Garlic (Alium sativum L.), which is considered to possess potent antioxidant activity, has been used as traditional remedy for various ailments since ancient times. We have investigated the effects of black garlic, a fermented form of garlic, on spatial memory and estimated the total number of pyramidal cells of the hippocampus in adolescent male Wistar rats treated with MSG. Twenty-five rats were divided into five groups: C- group, which received normal saline; C+ group, which was exposed to 2 mg/g body weight (bw) of MSG; three treatment groups (T2.5, T5, T10), which were treated with black garlic extract (2.5, 5, 10 mg/200 g bw, respectively) and MSG. The spatial memory test was carried out using the Morris water maze (MWM) procedure, and the total number of pyramidal cells of the hippocampus was estimated using the physical disector design. The groups treated with black garlic extract were found to have a shorter path length than the C- and C+ groups in the escape acquisition phase of the MWM test. The estimated total number of pyramidal cells in the CA1 region of the hippocampus was higher in all treated groups than that of the C+ group. Based on these results, we conclude that combined administration of black garlic and MSG may alter the spatial memory functioning and total number of pyramidal neurons of the CA1 region of the hippocampus of rats.

Kidney ischemic/reperfusion (I/R) injury is the main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) involving renal function deterioration, renal architecture damage, and inflammation. This condition may lead to kidney fibrosis with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and myofibroblast formation. Inhibition of chronic effects of kidney I/R injury may provide effective strategies for treating AKI and chronic kidney diseases (CKDs). Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is recognized as a powerful antioxidant, with anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic properties in many conditions. However, the effect of CGA on kidney I/R injury has not been elucidated yet. Kidney I/R injury was performed on male Swiss background mice (I/R group, n = 5, 3-4 months, 30–40 g) which underwent bilateral renal pedicles clamping for 30 minutes and then were euthanized on day three after operation. Three groups of I/R were treated with 3 different doses of CGA intraperitoneally for 2 days: 3.5 (I/R + CGA1 group), 7 (I/R + CGA2 group), and 14 (I/R + CGA3 group) mg/kg of body weight. Tubular injury was quantified based on Periodic Acid-Schiff staining, while reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was performed to quantify mRNA expression of TGF-β1, vimentin, SOD-1, TLR-4, TNF-α, NF-κB and MCP-1. Immunohistochemical staining was done to quantify proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), myofibroblast (α-SMA), SOD-1 and macrophage (CD68) number. Kidney I/R demonstrated tubular injury and increased inflammatory mediator expression, macrophage number, and myofibroblast expansion. Meanwhile, histological analysis showed lower tubular injury with higher epithelial cell proliferation in CGA-treated groups compared to the I/R group. RT-PCR also revealed significantly lower TGF-β1 and vimentin mRNA expressions with higher SOD-1 mRNA expression. CGA-treated groups also demonstrated a significantly lower macrophage and myofibroblast number compared to the I/R group. These findings associated with lower mRNA expression of TLR-4, TNF-α, NF-κB, and MCP-1 as inflammatory mediators in CGA groups. I/R + CGA3 represented the highest amelioration effect among other CGA-treated groups. CGA treatment attenuates kidney I/R injury through reducing inflammation, decreasing myofibroblast expansion, and inducing epithelial cells proliferation.

A number of studies have indicated that monosodium glutamate (MSG) might cause negative effects on the nervous system, including in the cerebellum. Garlic (Allium sativum) has long been known as a flavouring agent and a traditional remedy for various illnesses. The present study aimed at investigating the effects of garlic on the motor coordination and the number of Purkinje cells present in rats treated with MSG. A total of 25 male Wistar rats aged 4 to 5 weeks old were used in this study and were divided into five groups, namely a negative control (C-) group, which received 0.9 % NaCl solution, a positive control (C+) group, which received MSG, and three treated groups, which received 2 mg/g bw of MSG and 2.5 mg (T2.5), 5 mg (T5), or 10 mg (T10) of black garlic solution per oral administration (per 200 g bw), respectively. All treatments were carried out for 10 days. Upon the end of the treatment, the motor performance of all rats were tested using the rotarod apparatus. The rats were subsequently sacrificed, and the cerebella of the rats were processed for stereological analyses. It has been found that the number of Purkinje cells of the cerebella of all treated groups were significantly higher than that of the group treated with MSG only. No changes in motor coordination function were observed as a result of MSG treatment.

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Background Cellular senescence may play a role in the development of kidney fibrosis, but its specific association with apoptosis or proliferation have yet to be determined. Objectives This study aims to determine the effects of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) on proliferation, cellular senescence and apoptosis in kidney fibrosis. Methods A unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) procedure was performed to induce kidney fibrosis in 24 Swiss mice (3 months old, 30 g–40 g). Mice were sacrificed on day 3 (UUO3, n = 6), day 7 (UUO7, n = 6) and day 14 (UUO14, n = 6). Sham operation (SO) procedures were performed on the control group. The expression of Bcl-2, p16 and Bax mRNA was quantified with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining with anti-Bcl-2 and p53 antibodies was used to determine the localisation of proliferation and apoptosis. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA followed by a post hoc least significant difference (LSD) test ( P < 0.05) Results RT-PCR analysis showed higher mRNA expression of Bcl-2, p16 and Bax in the UUO groups compared with SO group ( P < 0.05). Immunostaining showed that Bcl-2 and p53 expression in tubular epithelium in the UUO groups, except Bcl-2 expression was found in interstitial areas of UUO14 group. Conclusion Senescence in UUO might be associated with epithelial apoptosis and myofibroblast proliferation.

Objective: The objective of this study to investigate the effect of simvastatin on kidney fibrosis in mice with a 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy.Methods: Thirty adults (3 mo old) male Swiss mice were submitted to a 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy and studied after 14 d. Animals were divided into five groups: 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (SN, n=6), sham operation (SH, n=6), simvastatin 5.2 mg/kg body weight (SIM-1, n=6), simvastatin 10.4 mg/kg body weight (SIM-2, n=6), and simvastatin 20.8 mg/kg body weight (SIM-3, n=6) groups. At sacrifice, kidneys were harvested for morphology (glomerulosclerosis (GS), tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis), immunostaining (α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)) and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta (PDGF-Rβ) and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) (MCP-1, ICAM-1, nephrin, and podocin) analysis.Results: Glomerulosclerosis, tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis in the simvastatin group was significantly lower than SN group (p<0.05). Simvastatin significantly reduced α-SMA expression (3.61±1.06 vs 7.91±1.26, p<0.05, SIM-1 vs SN; 2.86±0.61 vs 7.91±1.26, p<0.05, SIM-2 vs SN; 1.71±0.50 vs 7.91±1.26, p<0.05, SIM-3 vs SN), MCP-1 was markedly expressed in the 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy kidneys and was reduced with simvastatin (1.4±0.64 vs 0.57±0.23, p<0.05, SN vs SIM-1; 1.4±0.64 vs 0.6±0.26, p<0.05, SN vs SIM-2; 1.4±0.64 vs 0.52±0.21, SN vs SIM-3, p<0.05). Simvastatin did not increase nephrin expression, but it increased podocin expression significantly in the SIM-3 group.Conclusion: Simvastatin significantly attenuated GS, tubular injury and interstitial fibrosis through the downregulation of myofibroblast expansion and inflammatory mediators in mice with a 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy.

Aging increases liver susceptibility to diseases and it causes inflammation in liver tissue which can lead to fibrosis. Studies suggest that aging is caused by the accumulation of free radicals. Lack of physical activity can lower hormone levels and increase free radicals that can accelerate the aging process. Hence, physical activity is very important to maintain functions of organs. This research was aimed to study the effects of low and moderate treadmill exercise on d‐Galactose‐exposed aging rat model by evaluating the degree of hepatic fibrosis, number of M1 and M2, and M1/M2 ratio. Twenty‐four 3‐month‐old male Wistar aging model rats were randomly divided into four groups, that is, three treatment groups with daily 300 mg kgBW−1 d‐Galactose injection administrated intraperitoneally for 4 weeks and 1 control group with normal saline injection. Two of the d‐Galactose treated groups were given low and moderate treadmill exercise for 4 weeks. It was concluded that low intensity treadmill exercise significantly lowered the degree of d‐Galactose‐exposed hepatic fibrosis, and moderate treadmill exercise was able to restore the injured liver tissue back to the non‐aging state. Administration of d‐Galactose causes inflammation marked by the elevated number of M1 and M2 macrophages. Moderate treadmill exercise drove M1/M2 ratio back to the control condition.