19 research outputs found

    Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction as a Model to Investigate Fibrosis-Attenuating Treatments

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    Renal fibrosis is the common pathway for most forms of progressive renal disease. The Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction (UUO) model is used to cause renal fibrosis, where the primary feature of UUO is tubular injury as a result of obstructed urine flow. Furthermore, experimental UUO in rodents is believed to mimic human chronic obstructive nephropathy in an accelerated manner. Renal fibrosis is the common pathway for most forms of progressive renal disease. Removing the obstruction may not be sufficient to reverse fibrosis, so an accompanying treatment may be of benefit. In this review, we have done a revision on treatments shown to ameliorate fibrosis in the context of the UUO experimental model. The treatments inhibit the production of fibrotic and inflammatory proteins such as Transforming Growth Factor β1 (TGF-β1), Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNF-α), collagen and fibronectin, Heat Shock Protein 47 (HSP47), suppress the proliferation of fibroblasts, prevent epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, reduce oxidative stress, inhibit the action of the Nuclear Factor κB (NF-κB), reduce the phosphorylation of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) family members 2 and 3 (Smad2/3) or Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases (MAPKs), inhibit the activation of the renin-angiotensin system. Summaries of the UUO experimental methods and alterations observed in the UUO experiments are included

    Mitochondrial Redox Signaling and Oxidative Stress in Kidney Diseases

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    Mitochondria are essential organelles in physiology and kidney diseases, because they produce cellular energy required to perform their function. During mitochondrial metabolism, reactive oxygen species (ROS) are produced. ROS function as secondary messengers, inducing redox-sensitive post-translational modifications (PTM) in proteins and activating or deactivating different cell signaling pathways. However, in kidney diseases, ROS overproduction causes oxidative stress (OS), inducing mitochondrial dysfunction and altering its metabolism and dynamics. The latter processes are closely related to changes in the cell redox-sensitive signaling pathways, causing inflammation and apoptosis cell death. Although mitochondrial metabolism, ROS production, and OS have been studied in kidney diseases, the role of redox signaling pathways in mitochondria has not been addressed. This review focuses on altering the metabolism and dynamics of mitochondria through the dysregulation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways in kidney diseases

    Characterization of Mitochondrial Proteome and Function in Luminal A and Basal-like Breast Cancer Subtypes Reveals Alteration in Mitochondrial Dynamics and Bioenergetics Relevant to Their Diagnosis

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    Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer and the one with the highest mortality among women worldwide. Although the molecular classification of BC has been a helpful tool for diagnosing and predicting the treatment of BC, developments are still being made to improve the diagnosis and find new therapeutic targets. Mitochondrial dysfunction is a crucial feature of cancer, which can be associated with cancer aggressiveness. Although the importance of mitochondrial dynamics in cancer is well recognized, its involvement in the mitochondrial function and bioenergetics context in BC molecular subtypes has been scantly explored. In this study, we combined mitochondrial function and bioenergetics experiments in MCF7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines with statistical and bioinformatics analyses of the mitochondrial proteome of luminal A and basal-like tumors. We demonstrate that basal-like tumors exhibit a vicious cycle between mitochondrial fusion and fission; impaired but not completely inactive mitochondrial function; and the Warburg effect, associated with decreased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complexes I and III. Together with the results obtained in the cell lines and the mitochondrial proteome analysis, two mitochondrial signatures were proposed: one signature reflecting alterations in mitochondrial functions and a second signature exclusively of OXPHOS, which allow us to distinguish between luminal A and basal-like tumors

    GK-1 Induces Oxidative Stress, Mitochondrial Dysfunction, Decreased Membrane Potential, and Impaired Autophagy Flux in a Mouse Model of Breast Cancer

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    Breast cancer (BC) is the second most common cancer worldwide in women. During the last decades, the mortality due to breast cancer has progressively decreased due to early diagnosis and the emergence of more effective new treatments. However, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain with poor prognoses. In our research group, we are proposing the GK-1 immunomodulatory peptide as a new alternative for immunotherapy of these aggressive tumors. GK-1 reduced the growth rate of established tumors and effectively reduced lung metastasis in the 4T1 experimental murine model of breast cancer. Herein, the effect of GK-1 on the redox state, mitochondrial metabolism, and autophagy of triple-negative tumors that can be linked to cancer evolution was studied. GK-1 decreased catalase activity, reduced glutathione (GSH) content and GSH/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) ratio while increased hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, GSSG, and protein carbonyl content, inducing oxidative stress (OS) in tumoral tissues. This imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidants was related to mitochondrial dysfunction and uncoupling, characterized by reduced mitochondrial respiratory parameters and dissipation of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), respectively. Furthermore, GK-1 likely affected autophagy flux, confirmed by elevated levels of p62, a marker of autophagy flux. Overall, the induction of OS, dysfunction, and uncoupling of the mitochondria and the reduction of autophagy could be molecular mechanisms that underlie the reduction of the 4T1 breast cancer induced by GK-1

    The Protective Effect of Alpha-Mangostin against Cisplatin-Induced Cell Death in LLC-PK1 Cells is Associated to Mitochondrial Function Preservation

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    Cis-dichlorodiammineplatinum II (CDDP) is a chemotherapeutic agent that induces nephrotoxicity by different mechanisms, including oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, autophagy, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This study aimed to evaluate if the protective effects of the antioxidant alpha-mangostin (αM) in CDDP-induced damage in proximal tubule Lilly laboratory culture porcine kidney (LLC-PK1) cells, are related to mitochondrial function preservation. It was found that αM co-incubation prevented CDDP-induced cell death. Furthermore, αM prevented the CDDP-induced decrease in cell respiratory states, in the maximum capacity of the electron transfer system (E) and in the respiration associated to oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). CDDP also decreased the protein levels of voltage dependence anion channel (VDAC) and mitochondrial complex subunits, which together with the reduction in E, the mitofusin 2 decrease and the mitochondrial network fragmentation observed by MitoTracker Green, suggest the mitochondrial morphology alteration and the decrease in mitochondrial mass induced by CDDP. CDDP also induced the reduction in mitochondrial biogenesis observed by transcription factor A, mitochondria (TFAM) decreased protein-level and the increase in mitophagy. All these changes were prevented by αM. Taken together, our results imply that αM’s protective effects in CDDP-induced toxicity in LLC-PK1 cells are associated to mitochondrial function preservation

    E6 Oncoproteins from High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Induce Mitochondrial Metabolism in a Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Model

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    Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells that are positive for human papillomavirus (HPV+) favor mitochondrial metabolism rather than glucose metabolism. However, the involvement of mitochondrial metabolism in HNSCC HPV+ cells is still unknown. The aim of this work was to evaluate the role of E6 oncoproteins from HPV16 and HPV18 in the mitochondrial metabolism in an HNSCC model. We found that E6 from both viral types abates the phosphorylation of protein kinase B-serine 473 (pAkt), which is associated with a shift in mitochondrial metabolism. E6 oncoproteins increased the levels of protein subunits of mitochondrial complexes (I to IV), as well as the ATP synthase and the protein levels of the voltage dependent anion channel (VDAC). Although E6 proteins increased the basal and leak respiration, the ATP-linked respiration was not affected, which resulted in mitochondrial decoupling. This increase in leak respiration was associated to the induction of oxidative stress (OS) in cells expressing E6, as it was observed by the fall in the glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) rate and the increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), carbonylated proteins, and DNA damage. Taken together, our results suggest that E6 oncoproteins from HPV16 and HPV18 are inducers of mitochondrial metabolism

    The cytotoxicity effect of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene from Heterotheca inuloides and semisynthetic cadalenes derivates towards breast cancer cells: involvement of oxidative stress-mediated apoptosis

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    Background Heterotheca inuloides, traditionally employed in Mexico, has demonstrated anticancer activities. Although it has been proven that the cytotoxic effect is attributed to cadinane-type sesquiterpenes such as 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene, the mechanism of action by which these agents act in tumor lines and their regulation remain unknown. This study was undertaken to investigate for first time the cytotoxic activity and mechanism of action of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene and two semi-synthetic cadinanes derivatives towards breast cancer cells. Methods Cell viability and proliferation were assayed by thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and Trypan blue dye exclusion assay. Cell migration measure was tested by wound-healing assay. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation generation were measured by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) assay, respectively. Furthermore, expression of caspase-3, Bcl-2 and GAPDH were analyzed by western blot. Results The results showed that 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene inhibited MCF7 cell viability in a concentration and time dependent manner. The cytotoxic potency of semisynthetic derivatives 7-(phenylcarbamate)-3,4-dihydrocadalene and 7-(phenylcarbamate)-cadalene was remarkably lower. Moreover, in silico studies showed that 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene, and not so the semi-synthetic derivatives, has optimal physical-chemical properties to lead a promising cytotoxic agent. Further examination on the action mechanism of 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene suggested that this natural product exerted cytotoxicity via oxidative stress as evidenced in a significantly increase of intracellular ROS levels and in an induction of lipid peroxidation. Furthermore, the compound increased caspase-3 and caspase-9 activities and slightly inhibited Bcl-2 levels. Interestingly, it also reduced mitochondrial ATP synthesis and induced mitochondrial uncoupling. Conclusion Taken together, 7-hydroxy-3,4-dihydrocadalene is a promising cytotoxic compound against breast cancer via oxidative stress-induction

    Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of allicin in the kidney of an experimental model of metabolic syndrome

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    Background Recent studies have suggested that metabolic syndrome (MS) encompasses a group of risk factors for developing chronic kidney disease (CKD). This work aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of allicin in the kidney from an experimental model of MS. Methods Male Wistar rats (220–250 g) were used, and three experimental groups (n = 6) were formed: control (C), metabolic syndrome (MS), and MS treated with allicin (16 mg/Kg/day, gastric gavage) (MS+A). MS was considered when an increase of 20% in at least three parameters (body weight, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), or dyslipidemia) was observed compared to the C group. After the MS diagnosis, allicin was administered for 30 days. Results Before the treatment with allicin, the MS group showed more significant body weight gain, increased SBP, and FBG, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. In addition, increased markers of kidney damage in urine and blood. Moreover, the MS increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney compared to group C. The allicin treatment prevented further weight gain, reduced SBP, FBG, glucose intolerance, and dyslipidemia. Also, markers of kidney damage in urine and blood were decreased. Further, the oxidative stress and inflammation were decreased in the renal cortex of the MS+A compared to the MS group. Conclusion Allicin exerts its beneficial effects on the metabolic syndrome by considerably reducing systemic and renal inflammation as well as the oxidative stress. These effects were mediated through the Nrf2 pathway. The results suggest allicin may be a therapeutic alternative for treating kidney injury induced by the metabolic syndrome risk factors

    Curcumin Attenuates Gentamicin-Induced Kidney Mitochondrial Alterations: Possible Role of a Mitochondrial Biogenesis Mechanism

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    It has been shown that curcumin (CUR), a polyphenol derived from Curcuma longa, exerts a protective effect against gentamicin- (GM-) induced nephrotoxicity in rats, associated with a preservation of the antioxidant status. Although mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark in the GM-induced renal injury, the role of CUR in mitochondrial protection has not been studied. In this work, LLC-PK1 cells were preincubated 24 h with CUR and then coincubated 48 h with CUR and 8 mM GM. Treatment with CUR attenuated GM-induced drop in cell viability and led to an increase in nuclear factor (erythroid-2)-related factor 2 (Nrf2) nuclear accumulation and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC-1α) cell expression attenuating GM-induced losses in these proteins. In vivo, Wistar rats were injected subcutaneously with GM (75 mg/Kg/12 h) during 7 days to develop kidney mitochondrial alterations. CUR (400 mg/Kg/day) was administered orally 5 days before and during the GM exposure. The GM-induced mitochondrial alterations in ultrastructure and bioenergetics as well as decrease in activities of respiratory complexes I and IV and induction of calcium-dependent permeability transition were mostly attenuated by CUR. Protection of CUR against GM-induced nephrotoxicity could be in part mediated by maintenance of mitochondrial functions and biogenesis with some participation of the nuclear factor Nrf2
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