Triptolide prevents extracellular matrix accumulation in experimental diabetic kidney disease by targeting microRNA-137/Notch1 pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple biological functions via suppressing target genes. Triptolide is a monomeric compound isolated from a traditional Chinese herb, which exerts protective roles in many kinds of glomerular diseases. However, our understanding of the triptolide effect on miRNAome is still limited. In this study, we found that triptolide significantly decreased albuminuria and improved glomerulosclerosis in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD). And triptolide also inhibited extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation and the notch1 pathway activation under diabetic conditions. MiR-137 was significantly decreased in the HG (high glucose)-treated HRMCs and in the kidney tissues of the diabetic rats, but was upregulated by triptolide. In addition, overexpression of miR-137 exerted similar effects to those of triptolide, while miR-137 inhibition aggravated ECM protein accumulation. Luciferase reporter assay results demonstrated that miR-137 directly targets Notch1. Furthermore, the miR-137-dependent effects were due to Notch1 suppression that in turn inhibited ECM protein expression, key mediators of glomerulosclerosis. Finally, downregulation of miR-137 reversed the ECM inhibition role of triptolide in HG cultured HRMCs. Taken together, these findings indicate that triptolide is a potential therapeutic option for DKD and that miR-137/Notch1 pathway play roles in the anti-glomerulosclerosis mechanism of triptolide.

Han F ，Wang S ，Chang Y ，Li C ，Yang J ，Han Z ，Chang B ，Sun B ，Chen L ... -  《-》

Triptolide Attenuates Renal Tubular Epithelial-mesenchymal Transition Via the MiR-188-5p-mediated PI3K/AKT Pathway in Diabetic Kidney Disease.

Xue M ，Cheng Y ，Han F ，Chang Y ，Yang Y ，Li X ，Chen L ，Lu Y ，Sun B ，Chen L ... -  《International Journal of Biological Sciences》

Andrographolide ameliorates diabetic nephropathy by attenuating hyperglycemia-mediated renal oxidative stress and inflammation via Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is characterized by proliferation of mesangial cells, mesangial hypertrophy and extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation. Our recent study found that andrographolide inhibited high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation and fibronectin expression through inhibition of AP-1 pathway. However, whether andrographolide has reno-protective roles in DN has not been fully elucidated. Here, we studied the pharmacological effects of andrographolide against the progression of DN and high glucose-induced mesangial dysfunction. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). After 1 weeks after STZ injection, normal diet was substituted with a high-fat diet (HFD). Diabetic mice were intraperitoneal injected with andrographolide (2 mg/kg, twice a week). After 8 weeks, functional and histological analyses were carried out. Parallel experiments uncovering the molecular mechanism by which andrographolide prevents from DN was performed in mesangial cells. Andrographolide inhibited the increases in fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, kidney/body weight ratio, blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24-h albuminuria in diabetic mice. Andrographolide also prevented renal hypertrophy and ECM accumulation. Furthermore, andrographolide markedly attenuated NOX1 expression, ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokines as well. Additionally, andrographolide inhibited Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that andrographolide is protective against the progression of experimental DN by inhibiting renal oxidative stress, inflammation and fibrosis.

Ji X ，Li C ，Ou Y ，Li N ，Yuan K ，Yang G ，Chen X ，Yang Z ，Liu B ，Cheung WW ，Wang L ，Huang R ，Lan T ... -  《-》

Abated microRNA-195 expression protected mesangial cells from apoptosis in early diabetic renal injury in mice.

Chen YQ ，Wang XX ，Yao XM ，Zhang DL ，Yang XF ，Tian SF ，Wang NS ... -  《-》

Triptolide Suppresses Glomerular Mesangial Cell Proliferation in Diabetic Nephropathy Is Associated with Inhibition of PDK1/Akt/mTOR Pathway.

Han F ，Xue M ，Chang Y ，Li X ，Yang Y ，Sun B ，Chen L ... -  《-》