No abstract

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health concern with limited treatment options. Oxidative stress and inflammatory responses have been implicated in the pathology of CKD. Patients with CKD are frequently affected with neurological complications that affect both the central and peripheral nervous system. Identification of effective treatment strategies are of much clinical value in the therapy of CKD. Tangeretin, a plant-derived flavonoid has been described to retain extensive pharmacological properties. In the present study, we explored whether tangeretin exerted protective effects in 5/6 nephrectomized rats. CKD was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). Separate groups of 5/6 Nx rats were treated with tangeretin (50, 100 or 200 mg/kg b.wt.) or enalapril for 30 days (starting 5 days after surgery for 35 days). Control animals were not subjected to Nx nor were treated with tangeretin or enalapril. Renal dysfunction, as evinced by raised serum urea, serum creatinine, proteinuria, and histological alterations were significantly reduced by tangeretin and enalapril treatment. 5/6 Nx animals exhibited raised levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species. Elevated TNF-α, nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines-IL-6 and IL-1β with upregulated NF-κB/TNF-α/iNOS signalling pathways were effectively down-regulated by tangeretin. Cognitive disturbances and memory impairments observed in Nx rats were substantially improved by tangeretin. Collectively, the experimental data indicate that the anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of tangeretin effectively improved renal function and reduced the cognitive and memory impairments in CKD-induced animals.

No abstract

A 73-year-old woman with hyperammonemic encephalopathy presented with recurrent, transient episodes of diminished memory and confusion that lasted for 2-3 days. Except for ammonia levels of 208.7 μ mol/L (normal range 10.71-32.13 μmol/L), the laboratory tests, including all liver tests, were normal. Neuropsychological assessment showed cognitive decline (4/30 on Mini-Mental State Examination and 1/30 on Montreal Cognitive Assessment). EEG showed triphasic waves, which disappeared along with clinical remission. MRI showed bilateral symmetrical lesions in cortex, cingulate, lentiform nucleus, and insular (figure 1). 1 Abdominal CT angiography found congenital portosystemic shunts connecting the superior mesenteric vein and the inferior vena cava, without liver cirrhosis signs (figure 2). 2

As a concluding remark, the present study confirmed the neuroprotective role of Proto against PD both in in vitro and in vivo models.