TJ-17 (Goreisan) mitigates renal fibrosis in a mouse model of folic acid-induced chronic kidney disease

Background and purpose: TJ-17 (Goreisan), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, has been generally used to treat edema, such as heart failure, due to its diuretic effect. In the present study, we investigate the effects of TJ-17 on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We the preventive action of TJ-17 against acute kidney injury (AKI) transition to CKD in vivo using a folic acid (FA)-induced mouse model. Mice were treated with food containing TJ-17 at 48 h after FA intraperitoneal injection (AKI phase). Results: Histological analysis, as well as renal function and renal injury markers, deteriorated in mice with FA-induced CKD and were ameliorated by TJ-17 treatment. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration were also alleviated in mice treated with TJ-17. Renal fibrosis, a crucial factor in CKD, was induced by FA administration and inhibited by TJ-17 treatment. Pretreatment with TJ-17 did not exert an inhibitory effect on FA-induced AKI. The increase in urinary volume in FA-induced CKD mice was ameliorated by TJ-17 treatment, with a concurrent correction of reduced aquaporins expression in the kidney. Conclusion: TJ-17 may have a novel preventive effect against inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, contributing to innovation in the treatment of CKD

Design for a Pure-Blue-Emissive Polymer Film through the Selective Perturbation of the Energy Level of the Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital in a Boron Complex

The logical design for obtaining a blue-luminescent film based on a conjugated polymer is demonstrated. We recently found solid-state luminescent boron complexes with fused ketoiminate ligands (FBKIs). From quantum chemical calculations, it was proposed that there is a skeletal carbon having isolated highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) where the lobe in HOMO and the node in lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) exist. From these results, we presumed that only the HOMO energy level could be selectively lowered by aza-substitution at this carbon atom. Based on this idea, we designed and synthesized the aza-substituted FBKI (azaFBKI). From the optical and electrochemical measurements, it was shown that azaFBKIs had solid-state luminescent properties and especially the wider energy gaps originating from the lower HOMO levels than the corresponding FBKIs. Next, the conjugated homopolymer including azaFKBI as a repeating unit was designed and obtained. Finally, it was observed that the synthesized polymer exhibited purely blue luminescence in film (λₑₘ = 440 nm, ΦPL, film = 0.48, CIE; 0.19, 0.18)

TJ-17 (Goreisan) mitigates renal fibrosis in a mouse model of folic acid-induced chronic kidney disease

Background and purpose: TJ-17 (Goreisan), a traditional Japanese Kampo medicine, has been generally used to treat edema, such as heart failure, due to its diuretic effect. In the present study, we investigate the effects of TJ-17 on chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We the preventive action of TJ-17 against acute kidney injury (AKI) transition to CKD in vivo using a folic acid (FA)-induced mouse model. Mice were treated with food containing TJ-17 at 48 h after FA intraperitoneal injection (AKI phase). Results: Histological analysis, as well as renal function and renal injury markers, deteriorated in mice with FA-induced CKD and were ameliorated by TJ-17 treatment. Increased levels of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage infiltration were also alleviated in mice treated with TJ-17. Renal fibrosis, a crucial factor in CKD, was induced by FA administration and inhibited by TJ-17 treatment. Pretreatment with TJ-17 did not exert an inhibitory effect on FA-induced AKI. The increase in urinary volume in FA-induced CKD mice was ameliorated by TJ-17 treatment, with a concurrent correction of reduced aquaporins expression in the kidney. Conclusion: TJ-17 may have a novel preventive effect against inflammation, oxidative stress, and fibrosis, contributing to innovation in the treatment of CKD