본 연구는 hesperidin과 hesperidin의 aglycone 형태인 hesperetin의 2,2'-azobis (2-aminopropane) dihydrochloride (AAPH)에 의해 신장 독성이 유도된 쥐에서 신장 보호 효과에 대해 연구하였다. Hesperidin과 hesperetin은 200 mg/kg/day의 농도로 7일간 위내투여하였으며, AAPH를 복강주사하여 급성 신장 손상을 유도하였다. 이 후 쥐의 신장 조직에서 지질과산화 함량, nitric oxide (NO) 생성량, catalase 효소 활성을 측정하였으 며, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) 및 inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) 단백질 발현량을 측정하였다. AAPH로 신장 독성을 유도한 control군의 신장 내 지질과산화 및 NO 생성량은 신장 독성을 유도하지 않은 normal군에 비해 유의적으로 증가하여 산화적 손상이 유도됨을 확인하였다. 반면 hesperidin과 hesperetin를 투여했을 때 신장 내 지질과산화 및 NO 생성량이 control군에 비해 유의적으로 감소하여 산화적 스트레스 개선 효과를 확인하였다. Hesperidin과 hesperetin을 투여한 군의 경우 신장 내 항산화 효소인 catalase 활성을 유의적으로 증가시켰다. 뿐만 아니라, hesperidin과 hesperetin의 투여는 AAPH로 신장독성을 유도한 control군 100% 대비 NF-κB 단백질을 각각 66% 및 71%로, iNOS 단백질 발현을 각각 46% 및 33%로 억제시켰다. 따라서 본 연구를 통해 hesperidin과 hesperetin의 투여가 항산화 활성 조절을 통해 AAPH로 유도된 신장 독성을 억제하는 것을 알 수 있었다.

Big data analysis methods are useful tools for sorting valuable data and products. Achyranthes Radix root extract (AR) is a well-known herbal medicine in East Asia due to its anti-osteoarthritis, pro-circulatory, and anti-osteoporosis effects. In this stud y, we investigated the liver- and kidney-protective effects of AR by applying big data analysis to traditional medicine. CDDP (cis-diamminedichloridoplatinum) is an effective cancer cell anti-proliferative agent used in the treatment of diverse types of tumors. However, it is clinically limited due to liver and kidney toxicity. The current study was designed to assess the potential protective effects of AR against CDDP-induced hepato-renal toxicity. For this purpose, male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to four groups, each consisting of four animals. Intravenous injection or oral administration of either saline or AR was performed daily for 14 days, whereas CDDP was injected intraperitoneally on day 3 following AR treatment. Serum biochemistry results revealed that CDDP induced clear hepatic and renal damage while the AR treatment groups showed less damage relative to controls. Next, we tested the pharmacokinetics of AR using 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE), which is the most abundant component of AR extract. After intravenous administration of AR, the plasma concentration of 20-HE rapidly declined with a terminal half-life (t1/2) of 0.99±0.47 h. The area under the plasma concentration vs. time curve was 24.96±3.5 h*ng/mL. The present study provides valuable tools for further verification studies of the classical herbal literature and its scientific relevance.

항생제의 오남용은 세균의 항생제 내성을 증가시켜 세균감염에 의한 질병 치료에 어려움을 초래한다. 본 연구에서는 동애등애유충으로부터 분리된 펩타이드의 신장에서의 폐렴간균 감염 억제 효능을 관찰하였다. 마우스는 비강을 통해 폐렴간균을 감염시키고 1일 후 펩타이드를 마우스에 근육 주사로 투여하였다. 10일 후 마우스를 희생하여 신장에서 세균 감염증을 조사하였다. 대조군에 비해 펩티드를 투여한 마우스의 신장에서 세균 감염증상, 몸무게의 감소가 유의하게 억제되었고 생존률이 농도 의존적으로 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과들은 동애등애로부터 분리된 펩타이드가 폐렴 간균의 신장에서의 감염증상을 억제할 수 있음을 보여준다. 따라서 동애등애로부터 분리된 펩타이드는 효과적인 항생제 개발에서 가능성 높은 후보물질이 될 수 있을 것이다.

The kidney is a highly complex organ, and acute or chronic renal diseases can occur with various complications such as diabetes and hypertension. So far, no target specific treatment is available in acute or chronic renal failure, necessitating the development of alternative therapeutic strategy. Recent experimental findings suggest that the renal function and structure can be restored after being treated with various sources of stem/progenitor cells. In this review, we discuss up-to-date findings of the potential of renal progenitor/stem cells in alleviating renal injuries with a focus on preclinical studies. We also review cellular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic function of these cells.

Angiotensin receptor blockers, such as telmisartan, are considered effective in the treatment of hypertension and proteinuria due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) in cats. It selectively blocks the AT1 receptor and does not affect the AT2 receptor, thus effectively blocking the activity of the renin angiotensin aldosterone system. This study aims to compare over time the changes in various indicators, including systemic hypertension and proteinuria, before and after the administration of telmisartan in cats with CKD. Decrease in blood pressure (BP) (p<0.001) and urine protein to creatinine (UP/C) ratio (p<0.001) were found to be statistically significant over time after the administration of telmisartan. BP and the UP/C ratio were 160 ± 22.2 and 0.50 ± 0.647 before telmisartan administration (Day 0), 150 ± 21.0 and 0.27 ± 0.487 on the 30th day (Day 30), 150 ± 17.0 and 0.25 ± 0.376 on the 60th day (Day 60), and 140 ± 17.8 and 0.15 ± 0.233 on the 90th day (Day 90) after administration, respectively. BP and UP/C were statistically significantly lower in cats with CKD over time at each time point from Day 0 to Day 90 at 30 day intervals. Especially after 90 days of telmisartan administration, the improvement of BP and UP/C were estimated to be about 20 mmHg and 0.35, respectively. In conclusion, the oral administration of telmisartan to cats with CKD is effective in improving BP and proteinuria, which has a positive effect on long-term survival in cats with CKD.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a disorder that is manifested by a sudden decrease of renal function within several hours, and AKI remains a significant cause that can lead to increasing morbidity and mortality. Although AKI has been extensively studies in animal models, translating the results from animal studies into clinical use has not been successful due to various factors including basal etiology of kidney deficiency and comorbidities and the complexity of this pathology. As a golden parameter, measuring serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) has been conventionally used for determining the renal function, however, these biomarkers has been regarded suboptimal to identify renal injuries in early stages. In this study, we attempted to screen other serum biomarkers in early AKI event using cynomolgus monkeys. Two male monkeys, aged 60 months, were subjected to ischemic injury by unilateral clamping of renal pedicles for forty five minutes and then subsequently reperfused; the unclamped kidney was regarded as non-injured controls. Compared with control kidneys, we have found that the concentration of several inflammatory proteins including MCP1, TGFα, GSTα, were higher in the renal vein of injured kidney compared with control side after 24 and 48 hours of AKI. However, changes of serum level of KIM-1, which is one of the most-widely studied marker in rodent studies, were not different after AKI. Our results provide an useful information while developing a novel marker in AKI.

Carbonic anhydrase is essential for the cellular transportation of hydrogen and bicarbonate ions and plays a key role in a wide variety of physiological processes. Rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss is an important freshwater fish in aquaculture industry and is known to be one of the most susceptible species to environmental contamination. In this study, carbonic anhydrase was detected in the kidney and intestine of rainbow trout. Carbonic anhydrase was isolated from cytosolic proteins and identified by using SDS-PAGE, isoelectric focusing, and immunohistochemical methods. A specific protein band with molecular weight of 30 kDa and pI of 7.0 was detected by Western blotting. The immunohistochemical results showed that carbonic anhydrase was located at various cells in the kidney and intestine of rainbow trout.

Kidney cells of canine embryos were separated into single cells using collagenase and dispase. Primary culture was conducted using these cells. To remove fibroblasts, these cells were treated with edetate disodium dihydrate (Na2EDDA), and pure epithelial cells were separated. Recombinant retrovirus particles that manifest teromerase were produced and inoculated into primary culture cells to produce immortalized canine cell strains (JNUCK-1 and JNUCK-2). To examine the characteristics of the produced cell strains, the growth curve, maximum cultured households, and expressed proteins (keratin) were identified. The JNUCK-1 and JNUCK-2 cell lines showed division ability until the 30th generation without growth retardation. JNUCK-1 and JNUCK-2 cell lines clearly expressed telomerase until the 25th generation. The canine distemper virus (CDV) was inoculated into the JNUCK-1 and JNUCK-2 cell lines, as well as in the Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell line. The maximum titer of CDV from the JNUCK-1 cell strain was about 200 times higher than that from the MDCK cell strain. However, the JNUCK-2 cell strain produced a lower titer than the MDCK cell strain. We established a new canine kidney epithelial cell line (JNUCK-1) that could produce CDV with high titer.

A 7-year-old spayed female English Cocker Spaniel dog presented with polyuria (PU), polydipsia (PD), intermittent vomiting, and weight loss. Physical examination revealed pale, tacky mucous membranes and severe emaciation. Hematological and biochemical examinations revealed moderate normocytic normochromic non-regenerative anemia and moderate azotemia. Abdominal ultrasonography demonstrated bilaterally small lumpy-bumpy kidneys with hyperechoic parenchyma as well as loss of renal corticomedullary junction. Based on clinical history and examinations, the dog was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The dog was treated with supportive care including fluid therapy, phosphate-binding agent, and histamine H2-receptor antagonist. Darbepoetin Alfa was administered to control renal secondary non-regenerative anemia. Prescribed diet with low-protein and low-phosphorus was fed to alleviate CKD signs. Further, dietary probiotics were supplemented. This case demonstrates that oral probiotic supplementation helped reduce blood urea-nitrogen (BUN) levels. This case indicates that dietary probiotics can be a potential alternative therapeutic agent for management of renal failure

Methoxychlor (MXC) was developed to be a replacement for the banned pesticide DDT. HPTE [2,2-bis (p-hydroxyphenyl) -1,1,1-trichloroethane], which is an in vivo metabolite of MXC, has strong oestrogenic and anti-androgenic effects. MXC and HPTE are thought to produce potentially adverse effects by acting through oestrogen and androgen receptors. Of the two, HPTE binds to sex-steroid receptors with greater affinity, and it inhibits testosterone biosynthesis in Leydig cells by inhibiting cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme activity and cholesterol utilisation. In a previous study, MXC was shown to induce Leydig cell apoptosis by decreasing testosterone concentrations. I focused on the effects of MXC on male mice that resulted from interactions with sex-steroid hormone receptors. Sexsteroid hormones affect other organs including the kidney and liver. Accordingly, I hypothesised that MXC can act through sex-steroid receptors to produce adverse effects on the testis, kidney and liver, and I designed our experiments to confirm the different effects of MXC exposure on the male reproductive system, kidney and liver. In these experiments, I used pre-pubescent ICR mice; the puberty period in ICR mice is from postnatal day (PND) 45 to PND60. I treated the experimental group with 0, 100, 200, 400 mg MXC/kg b.w. delivered by an intra-peritoneal injection with sesame oil used as vehicle for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the mice were sacrificed under anaesthesia. The testes and accessory reproductive organs were collected, weighed and prepared for histological investigation. I performed a chemiluminescence immune assay to observe the serum levels of testosterone, LH and FSH. Blood biochemical determination was also performed to check for other effects. There were no significant differences in our histological observations or relative organ weights. Serum testosterone levels were decreased in a dose-dependent manner; a greater dose resulted in the production of less testosterone. Compared to the control group, testosterone concentrations differed in the 200 and 400 mg/kg dosage groups. In conclusion, I observed markedly negative effects of MXC exposure on testosterone concentrations in pre-pubescent male mice. From our biochemical determinations, I observed some changes that indicate renal and hepatic failure. Together, these data suggest that MXC produces adverse effects on the reproductive system, kidney and liver.

The goal of this study was to examine the ameliorative effects of black ginseng(BG) in male obese diabetic C57BLKS/ J-db/db mice. Ten-week-old male db/db mice were administrated 300 ㎎/㎏ of F-BG daily for 6 weeks, The db/db mice where corresponded to the normal group and db/db mice which were the diabetic positive group were not provided BG treatment. The supressive effects of treatment were examined on serum lipids levels, which included total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol and nonesterified fatty acid. Also, weight changes and the relative weight of liver and kidney, organ pathological investigation were measured. The effects of treatment were assessed by comparing the results of the db/db mice that received BG for 6 weeks with that of the diabetic positive group. Significant differences in several biological parameters such as HDL level(p<0.05), TG level(p<0.05) and NEFA level(p<0.05) were observed for the BG group. BG treatment increased the HDL level and decreased the NEFA level, which could ameliorate hyperlipidemia or blood circulation.

A rapid, simple and reliable LC-MS/MS method, which can be used on a routine basis, was developed for the simultaneous detection of 8 penicillin antibiotics (amoxicillin, ampicillin, penicillin-G, penicillin-V, oxacillin, cloxacillin, nafcillin and dicloxacillin) in swine muscle and kidney. The antibiotics were extracted from samples with water and methanol. The extract was centrifuged, filtered and analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS), using a C18 reversed phase column with water/acetonitrile gradient containing 0.05 % formic acid. Mass spectral acquisition was achieved in an electrospray positive ion mode by applying multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) of 2 fragment ion transitions to provide a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The ion rations were consistent and could be used for confirmation of identity of the penicillin antibiotics. Recoveries of eight penicillins at three fortification levels (10, 20 and 40㎍/㎏) ranged from 79.8 to 102.4% and 72.8 to 103.4% in swine muscle and kidney, respectively. The coefficient of variation was than 9% in all samples. The estimated limits of quantification (LOQs) ranged from 1.0 to 3.2㎍/㎏ in swine muscle and kidney, respectively. The LOQs of this method are below the MRLs of penicillin antibiotics in animal tissues established in Korea and other countries.