Puerarin protects against cadmium-induced proximal tubular cell apoptosis by restoring mitochondrial function.

Puerarin (PU) is a potent free radical scavenger with a protective effect in nephrotoxin-mediated oxidative damage. Here, we show a novel molecular mechanism by which PU exerts its anti-apoptotic effects in cadmium (Cd)-exposed primary rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells. Morphological assessment and flow cytometric analysis revealed that PU significantly decreased Cd-induced apoptotic cell death of rPT cells. Administration of PU protected cells against Cd-induced depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and lipid peroxidation. Cd-mediated mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) opening, disruption of mitochondrial ultrastructure, mitochondrial cytochrome c (cyt-c) release, caspase-3 activation and subsequently poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage could be effectively blocked by the addition of PU. Moreover, up-regulation of Bcl-2 and down-regulation of Bax and hence increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio were observed with the PU administration. In addition, PU reversed Cd-induced ATP depletion by restoring ΔΨm to affect ATP production and by regulating expression levels of ANT-1 and ANT-2 to improve ATP transport. In summary, PU inhibited Cd-induced apoptosis in rPT cells by ameliorating the mitochondrial dysfunction.

Song XB ，Liu G ，Wang ZY ，Wang L ... -  《-》

Alleviation of Lead-Induced Apoptosis by Puerarin via Inhibiting Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore Opening in Primary Cultures of Rat Proximal Tubular Cells.

Wang ZK ，Zhou XL ，Song XB ，Zhuang DM ，Wang ZY ，Yang DB ，Wang L ... -  《-》

Mitochondrial permeability transition and its regulatory components are implicated in apoptosis of primary cultures of rat proximal tubular cells exposed to lead.

Liu G ，Wang ZK ，Wang ZY ，Yang DB ，Liu ZP ，Wang L ... -  《-》

Puerarin protects against lead-induced cytotoxicity in cultured primary rat proximal tubular cells.

Puerarin, a potent free radicals scavenger, has been demonstrated to have protective efficacy in oxidative damage induced by nephrotoxins. In the present study, the attenuating effect of puerarin (PU) on lead (Pb)-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress was investigated in cultured primary rat proximal tubular (rPT) cells. Results showed that exposure to 0.5 µM Pb induced a decrease in cell viability accompanied with obvious cellular morphological alterations and caused an increase in apoptotic rate and apoptotic morphological changes. Simultaneously, depletion of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ) and intracellular glutathione (GSH); elevation of caspase-3 activity, intracellular reactive oxygen species, and malondialdehyde levels; and inhibition of GSH peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity were revealed in the cells exposed to Pb alone. However, simultaneous supplementation with PU (50 and 100 µM) protected rPT cells from Pb-induced cytotoxicity through inhibiting apoptosis, attenuating lipid peroxidation, renewing mitochondrial function, and elevating the intracellular antioxidants (nonenzymatic and enzymic) levels. In conclusion, these findings suggested that PU, as a widely distributed dietary antioxidant, contributes potentially to inhibition of Pb-induced cytotoxicity in rPT cells.

Liu G ，Li Z ，Wang J ，Wang H ，Wang Z ，Wang L ... -  《-》

Puerarin may protect against Schwann cell damage induced by glucose fluctuation.

Xue B ，Wang L ，Zhang Z ，Wang R ，Xia XX ，Han PP ，Cao LJ ，Liu YH ，Sun LQ ... -  《-》