Aspirin attenuates podocyte injury in diabetic rats through overriding cyclooxygenase-2-mediated dysregulation of LDL receptor pathway.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effects of aspirin on podocyte injury and its underlying mechanisms in diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Methods: Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: non-diabetic rats (Control), streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats (DM), and diabetic rats treated with aspirin (DM + Aspirin) for 12 weeks. Intracellular lipid accumulation was evaluated by Oil Red O staining and quantitative free cholesterol assays.

Platelet Microparticles Mediate Glomerular Endothelial Injury in Early Diabetic Nephropathy.

Background: Glomerular endothelium dysfunction, which plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of early diabetic nephropathy, might be caused by circulating metabolic abnormalities. Platelet microparticles, extracellular vesicles released from activated platelets, have recently emerged as a novel regulator of vascular dysfunction.

Methods: We studied the effects of platelet microparticles on glomerular endothelial injury in early diabetic nephropathy in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes and primary rat glomerular endothelial cells.

CRH/CRHR1 mediates prenatal synthetic glucocorticoid programming of depression-like behavior across 2 generations.

Pregnant women at risk of preterm labor usually receive synthetic glucocorticoids (sGCs) to promote fetal lung development. Emerging evidence indicates that antenatal sGC increases the risk of affective disorders in offspring. Data from animal studies show that such disorders can be transmitted to the second generation.

Activation of the CXCL16/CXCR6 Pathway by Inflammation Contributes to Atherosclerosis in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease.

Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the progression of atherosclerosis (AS). This study aimed to determine the effects of the CXC chemokine ligand 16 (CXCL16)/CXC chemokine receptor 6 (CXCR6) pathway on cholesterol accumulation in the radial arteries of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with concomitant microinflammation and to further investigate the potential effects of the purinergic receptor P2X ligand-gated ion channel 7 (P2X7R). Forty-three ESRD patients were divided into the control group (n=17) and the inflamed group (n=26) based on plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) levels.

[Effect of Cordyceps sinensis powder on renal oxidative stress and mitochondria functions in 5/6 nephrectomized rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of Cordyceps sinensis (CS) powder on renal oxidative stress and mitochondria functions in 5/6 nephrectomized rats, and to primarily explore its possible mechanisms.

Methods: Totally 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the sham-operation group, the model group, and the treatment group by random digit table, 10 in each group. A chronic kidney disease (CKD) rat model was prepared by one step 5/6 nephrectomy.

Influence of irbesartan on expression of ILK and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Aim: Irbesartan, a new antagonist of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor, has been proven to be renal protective in both diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathy, but its exact mechanism is still uncertain. Here we investigated the influence of irbesartan on the expression of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).

Methods: The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation (C, n=20), UUO (n=40), and UUO with irbesartan treatment (UUO+irbesartan, n=40).

[Role of integrin-linked kinase in renal tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition of mice with obstructive nephropathy].

Objective: To investigate the expression of integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in kidneys of mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction and its relevance with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Methods: Mice were randomly divided into two groups, sham operation (C, n = 20) and unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO, n = 40). The animals were sacrificed at day 1, 3, 7 and 14 respectively after the surgery.

[Observation on the ultrastructure of Pneumocystis carinii].

Objective: To study the life cycle and morphology of Pneumocystis carinii by ultrastructural observation.

Methods: Wistar rat model of P. carinii infection was established by subcutaneous injection with dexamethasone.