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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) play a role in diabetic nephropathy. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, contributes to diabetic nephropathy. We have found that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) inhibits the AGE-induced inflammatory reactions in endothelial cells. However, effects of GLP-1 on the AGE-RAGE-ADMA axis are unknown. This study examined the effects of GLP-1 on reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, gene expression of protein arginine methyltransfetase-1 (PRMT-1), an enzyme that mainly generates ADMA, and ADMA levels in human proximal tubular cells. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats received continuous i.p. infusion of 0.3 μg of vehicle or 1.5 μg of the GLP-1 analog exendin-4 per kilogram of body weight for 2 weeks. We further investigated whether and how exendin-4 treatment reduced ADMA levels and renal damage in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. GLP-1 inhibited the AGE-induced RAGE and PRMT-1 gene expression, ROS, and ADMA generation in tubular cells, which were blocked by small-interfering RNAs raised against GLP-1 receptor. Exendin-4 treatment decreased gene expression of RAGE, PRMT-1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 and ADMA level; reduced urinary excretions of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and albumin; and improved histopathologic changes of the kidney in diabetic rats. Our present study suggests that GLP-1 receptor agonist may inhibit the AGE-RAGE-mediated ADMA generation by suppressing PRMT-1 expression via inhibition of ROS generation, thereby protecting against the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.
American Journal Of Pathology 11/2012; · 4.89 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formed at an accelerated rate under diabetes, elicit oxidative and pro-apoptotic reactions in various types of cells, including podocytes, thus being involved in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Recently, we, along with others, have found that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a glycoprotein with potent neuronal differentiating activity, inhibits AGE-elicited mesangial and tubular cell damage through its anti-oxidative properties. However, the effects of PEDF on podocyte loss, one of the characteristic features of diabetic nephropathy remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether and how PEDF could protect against AGE-elicited podocyte apoptosis in vitro. AGEs decreased PEDF mRNA level in podocytes, which was blocked by neutralizing antibody raised against receptor for AGEs (RAGE-Ab). PEDF or RAGE-Ab was found to inhibit the AGE-induced up-regulation of RAGE mRNA level, oxidative stress generation and resultant apoptosis in podocytes. All of the beneficial effects of PEDF on AGE-exposed podocytes were blocked by the treatment of GW9662, an inhibitor of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ). Further, although PEDF did not affect protein expression levels of PPARγ, it significantly restored the PPARγ transcriptional activity in AGE-exposed podocytes. The present results demonstrated for the first time that PEDF could block the AGE-induced apoptotic cell death of podocytes by suppressing RAGE expression and subsequent ROS generation partly via PPARγ activation. Our present study suggests that substitution of PEDF proteins may be a promising strategy for preventing the podocyte loss in diabetic nephropathy.
Microvascular Research 10/2012; · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: There is a growing body of evidence that renin-angiotensin system plays a role in diabetic nephropathy. Recently, we have found that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), one of the incretins, a gut hormone secreted from L cells in the intestine in response to food intake, inhibits advanced glycation end product-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene expression in mesangial cells thorugh the interaction with the receptor of GLP-1. However, effects of GLP-1 on angiotensin II-exposed mesangial cells are unknown. This study investigated whether and how GLP-1 blocked the angiotensin II-induced mesangial cell damage in vitro. GLP-1 completely blocked the angiotensin II-induced superoxide generation, NF-κB activation, up-regulation of mRNA levels of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in mesangial cells, all of which were prevented by the treatments with H-89, an inhibitor of protein kinase A. The present results demonstrated for the first time that GLP-1 blocked the angiotensin II-induced mesangial cell injury by inhibiting superoxide-mediated NF-κB activation via protein kinase C pathway. Our present study suggests that strategies to enhance the biological actions of GLP-1 may be a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Microvascular Research 06/2012; · 2.83 Impact Factor
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International journal of cardiology 05/2012; 158(2):310-2. · 7.08 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) axis play a role in diabetic nephropathy. Statins have been shown to ameliorate renal function and reduce proteinuria in patients with chronic kidney disease. However, the effects of statin on AGEs-induced tubular cell damage remain unknown. We examined here whether and how pravastatin could block the AGEs-RAGE-elicited tubular cell injury in vitro. Gene expression level was evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reactions. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured with dihydroethidium staining. Apoptosis was analyzed in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) expression was evaluated by immunostaining. Pravastatin dose-dependently inhibited the AGEs-induced up-regulation of RAGE mRNA level, ROS generation and apoptosis in human renal proximal tubular cells. Further, AGEs decreased mRNA level of dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-2, an enzyme that mainly degrades asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and subsequently increased ADMA generation in tubular cells, both of which were also prevented by pravastatin. Geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) treatment blocked all of the effects of pravastatin on tubular cells. We found that rosuvastatin also significantly blocked the AGEs-induced increase in RAGE mRNA level and ROS generation, both of which were prevented by GGPP. Our present study suggests that pravastatin could inhibit the AGEs-induced apoptosis and ADMA generation in tubular cells by suppressing RAGE expression probably via inhibition of GGPP synthesis. Pravastatin may exert beneficial effects on tubular damage in diabetic nephropathy by blocking the AGEs-RAGE axis.
Metabolism: clinical and experimental 03/2012; 61(8):1067-72. · 2.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) axis contributes to diabetic nephropathy. An oral hypoglycemic agent, metformin may have a potential effect on the inhibition of glycation reactions. Further, since a pathophysiological crosstalk between renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and AGEs-RAGE axis is involved in diabetic nephropathy, it is conceivable that metformin and irbesartan additively could protect against the AGEs-RAGE-induced tubular cell injury. In this study, we addressed the issues. Metformin dose-dependently inhibited the formation of AGEs modification of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Compared with AGEs-modified BSA prepared without metformin (AGEs-MF0), those prepared in the presence of 30 mM or 100 mM metformin (AGEs-MF30 or AGEs-MF100) significantly reduced RAGE mRNA level, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, apoptosis, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and transforming growth factor-β mRNA level in tubular cells. Irbesartan further inhibited the harmful effects of AGEs-MF0 or AGEs-MF30 on tubular cells. Our present study suggests that combination therapy with metformin and irbesartan may have therapeutic potential in diabetic nephropathy; it could play a protective role against tubular injury in diabetes not only by inhibiting AGEs formation, but also by attenuating the deleterious effects of AGEs via down-regulating RAGE expression and subsequently suppressing ROS generation.
Pharmacological Research 11/2011; 65(3):297-302. · 4.44 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Decreased production and/or impaired action of nitric oxide (NO) play a role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetic patients. Under hyperglycemic conditions, formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGE) have been known to progress, thus contributing to tissue damage in diabetes. However, effects of inhibitors of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5), an enzyme that catalyzes the degradation of cyclic guanosin-monophosphate (cGMP) and subsequently blocks the actions of NO, on AGE-exposed endothelial cells remain unknown. Therefore, this study investigated whether and how vardenafil, an inhibitor of PDE-5, could block the deleterious effects of AGE on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). Gene and protein expression was analyzed in quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blots, respectively. Intracellular formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated with dihydroethidium staining. AGE increased receptor for AGE (RAGE) mRNA and protein levels in HUVEC, both of which were significantly inhibited by the treatments with 30 nM vardenafil or 5 μM 8-Br-cGMP, an analogue of cGMP. Further, vardenafil reduced the AGE-induced ROS generation and subsequently inhibited up-regulation of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) mRNA levels in HUVEC. We demonstrated here for the first time that vardenafil could block the AGE-induced up-regulation of MCP-1 mRNA levels in HUVEC by suppressing RAGE expression and subsequent ROS generation via elevation of cGMP. Our present results suggest that vardenafil directly acts on endothelial cells and it could work as an anti-inflammatory agent against AGE.
Clinical and Experimental Medicine 06/2011; 11(2):131-5. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGE) and receptor for AGE (RAGE) interaction elicits reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and inflammatory reactions, thereby being involved in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Recently, we, along with others, found that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), one of the incretins and a gut hormone secreted from L cells in the intestine in response to food intake, could have anti-inflammatory and antithrombogenic properties in cultured endothelial cells. However, the effects of GLP-1 on renal mesangial cells are largely unknown. Therefore, to elucidate the role of GLP-1 in diabetic nephropathy, this study investigated whether and how GLP-1 blocked AGE-induced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in human cultured mesangial cells. Gene and protein expression was analyzed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions, Western blots, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The ROS generation was measured with dihydroethidium staining. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was expressed in mesangial cells. Glucagon-like peptide-1 inhibited RAGE gene expression in mesangial cells, which was blocked by small interfering RNAs raised against GLP-1R. Furthermore, GLP-1 decreased ROS generation and subsequently reduced monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 gene and protein expression in AGE-exposed mesangial cells. An analogue of cyclic adenosine monophosphate mimicked the effects of GLP-1 on mesangial cells. Our present study suggests that GLP-1 may directly act on mesangial cells via GLP-1R and that it could work as an anti-inflammatory agent against AGE by reducing RAGE expression via activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate pathway.
Metabolism: clinical and experimental 03/2011; 60(9):1271-7. · 2.59 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Advanced glycation end products (AGE), senescent macroprotein derivatives formed at an accelerated rate under hyperglycemic conditions, elicit oxidative stress generation and inflammatory reactions, thus being involved in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Recently, we, along with others, have found that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a glycoprotein with potent neuronal differentiating activity, inhibits AGE-elicited endothelial cell damage through its anti-oxidative properties and blocks the progression of experimental diabetic retinopathy. However, a role of PEDF in diabetic nephropathy is not fully understood. In this study, we investigated whether and how PEDF could protect against AGE-elicited mesangial cell damage in vitro. PEDF mRNA and protein levels were decreased by the treatments of AGE. PEDF or neutralizing antibody raised against RAGE (receptor for AGE) was found to inhibit the AGE-induced oxidative stress generation and subsequent NF-kappaB activation in mesangial cells. Further, AGE increased mRNA levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in mesangial cells, all of which were prevented by the treatments with PEDF, RAGE antibody or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate, a NF-kappaB inhibitor. The present results demonstrated for the first time that PEDF blocked the AGE-RAGE-mediated mesangial cell injury by inhibiting NF-kappaB activation via suppression of reactive oxygen species generation. Our present study suggests that substitution of PEDF proteins may be a promising strategy for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy.
Microvascular Research 04/2010; 80(2):227-32. · 2.83 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is one of the incretins, a gut hormone secreted from L cells in the intestine in response to food intake. It has been proposed as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. However, the direct effects of GLP-1 on vascular injury in diabetes are largely unknown. Since there is a growing body of evidence that advanced glycation end products (AGE) and their receptor RAGE axis plays an important role in vascular complications in diabetes, this study investigated whether and how GLP-1 blocked the deleterious effects of AGE on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) was expressed in HUVEC. GLP-1 dose-dependently inhibited RAGE gene expression in HUVEC, which was blocked by small interfering RNAs raised against GLP-1R. An analogue of cyclic AMP also decreased RAGE mRNA level in HUVEC. Further, GLP-1 decreased reactive oxygen species generation and subsequently reduced vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 mRNA levels in AGE-exposed HUVEC. Our present study suggests that GLP-1 directly acts on HUVEC via GLP-1R and it could work as an anti-inflammatory agent against AGE by reducing RAGE expression via activation of cyclic AMP pathways.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 12/2009; 391(3):1405-8. · 2.48 Impact Factor
