p38 Signaling Mediates Naringin-Induced Osteogenic Differentiation of Porcine Metanephric Mesenchymal Cells.

Objective: To explore the potential of metanephric mesenchymal cells (MMCs) for osteogenesis and naringin's ability to enhance this process and its molecular mechanism.

Methods: Porcine MMCs at 70 days of gestation were used as tool cells, cultured in osteogenic induction medium, identified by immunocytochemistry staining. Osteogenic potential of porcine MMCs and naringin's ability to enhance this process was tested by detecting changes in cell viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, the expression of runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN), and the formation of mineralized nodules, and the application of the p38 signaling pathway inhibitor SB203580 vitiated the osteogenesis-promoting effect of naringin.

Predictive Capabilities of Three Widely Used Pathology Classification Systems and a Simplified Classification (Beijing Classification) in Primary IgA Nephropathy.

Background/aims: Several pathological classification systems were commonly used in clinical practice to predict the prognosis of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). However, how prognostic value differs between these systems is unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the Lee grade, the Oxford classification, and the Haas classification and to find a simplified classification.

Effects of Cyclosporine A on the Development of Metanephros in the Pregnant BALB/c Mice.

Background:: Cyclosporine A (CsA) is a commonly used clinical immunosuppressant. However, CsA exposure in rabbits during the gestation period was shown to cause a postnatal decrease in the number of nephrons, with the effects remaining unknown. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of CsA on metanephros development in the pregnant BALB/c mice.

Myofibrillogenesis Regulator 1 Rescues Renal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Recruitment of PI3K-Dependent P-AKT to Mitochondria.

To investigate whether myofibrillogenesis regulator 1 (MR-1) attenuates renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury via inhibiting phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) mitochondrial translocation-mediated opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), we injected adenovirus containing MR-1 gene or its siRNAs to the left kidney subcapsular areas of Sprague-Dawley rats, which subsequently underwent experimental renal I/R injury. Renal functions and the severity of the tubular injury were evaluated by the serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels and the pathological scores. We also examined the mitochondrial morphology and functions.

Efficacy of Leflunomide, Telmisartan, and Clopidogrel for Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) are unclear. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of telmisartan combined with clopidogrel, leflunomide, or both drugs for IgAN.

Methods: It is a multicenter, prospective, double-dummy randomized controlled trial.

Efficacy and safety of Shenyankangfu tablets for primary glomerulonephritis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic kidney disease is a common disease. Most chronic kidney diseases evolve from primary glomerulonephritis. Proteinuria is an independent risk factor for the progression of chronic kidney disease.

Inhibition of the tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in vivo and in vitro by the Uremic Clearance Granule ().

Objective: To investigate the effect of the Uremic Clearance Granule (UCG, ), a Chinese patent medicine, on tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) model in vivo and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 induced EMT of HK-2 cells in vitro.

Methods: In vivo study, 50 Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: a sham operation group (n=10), a UUO group (n=20), and a UUO with UCG treatment group (n=20). The UCG was given at a dose of 4.

Treatment of 5/6 nephrectomy rats with sulodexide: a novel therapy for chronic renal failure.

Aim: Sulodexide, a glycosaminoglycan, could reduce albuminuria in diabetic patients. The aim of this study was to determine whether sulodexide could be used to treat chronic kidney failure in rats.

Methods: Sixty Wistar rats undergone 5/6 nephrectomy, then were randomly divided into 4 groups: the model group, sulodexide group (sulodexide 5 mg/kg per day, im), irbesartan group irbesartan (20 mg/kg per day, ig) and sulodexide plus irbesartan group.

Role of microRNA-181a in the apoptosis of tubular epithelial cell induced by cisplatin.

Background: Cisplatin (DDP) is one of most effective and most commonly used therapeutic agent in treating tumors, it can accumulate in the kidney and lead to acute renal failure. MicroRNA-181a can induce cell apoptosis by suppressing the expression of Bcl-2 family. In the present study, we investigated the role of microRNA-181a in the apoptosis of tubular epithelial cell induced by DDP.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 counteracts glucolipotoxicity in the pancreatic β-cell line INS-1.

Background: Glucolipotoxicity might play an important role in the β cell decompensation stage during the development of obesity-associated type 2 diabetes. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) inhibits matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity and regulates proliferation and apoptosis of a variety of cell types, including pancreatic β-cells. In the present study, we investigated whether TIMP-1 counteracts glucolipotoxicity in the pancreatic β-cell line INS-1.

[Significance of imbalance between matrix metalloproteinases and tissue type inhibitor of metalloproteinases in renal tubulointerstitial lesions of aging rats].

Objective: To explore the imbalance between the expression of metalloproteinases (MMPs) and that of tissue type inhibitors of metalloproteinase (TIMPs) in the renal tubulointerstitial lesions of aging rats and the potential role of this imbalance.

Methods: Forty-eight male 26-month-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups of 24 rats: unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group with the left ureter ligated and excised and false operation group used as control group. Forty-eight male 3-month-old Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups of 24 rats: UUO group and false operation group just as in the 26-month-old rats.