Ghrelin protects against renal damages induced by angiotensin-II via an antioxidative stress mechanism in mice

PLoS One. 2014 Apr 18;9(4):e94373. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094373. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

We explored the renal protective effects by a gut peptide, Ghrelin. Daily peritoneal injection with Ghrelin ameliorated renal damages in continuously angiotensin II (AngII)-infused C57BL/6 mice as assessed by urinary excretion of protein and renal tubular markers. AngII-induced increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and senescent changes were attenuated by Ghrelin. Ghrelin also inhibited AngII-induced upregulations of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), ameliorating renal fibrotic changes. These effects were accompanied by concomitant increase in mitochondria uncoupling protein, UCP2 as well as in a key regulator of mitochondria biosynthesis, PGC1α. In renal proximal cell line, HK-2 cells, Ghrelin reduced mitochondria membrane potential and mitochondria-derived ROS. The transfection of UCP2 siRNA abolished the decrease in mitochondria-derived ROS by Ghrelin. Ghrelin ameliorated AngII-induced renal tubular cell senescent changes and AngII-induced TGF-β and PAI-1 expressions. Finally, Ghrelin receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR)-null mice exhibited an increase in tubular damages, renal ROS levels, renal senescent changes and fibrosis complicated with renal dysfunction. GHSR-null mice harbored elongated mitochondria in the proximal tubules. In conclusion, Ghrelin suppressed AngII-induced renal damages through its UCP2 dependent anti-oxidative stress effect and mitochondria maintenance. Ghrelin/GHSR pathway played an important role in the maintenance of ROS levels in the kidney.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / adverse effects*
  • Animals
  • Cell Line
  • Cellular Senescence / drug effects
  • Cytoprotection / drug effects
  • Fibrosis
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects
  • Gene Knockout Techniques
  • Ghrelin / pharmacology*
  • Humans
  • Ion Channels / genetics
  • Kidney / cytology
  • Kidney / drug effects*
  • Kidney / metabolism*
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / cytology
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / drug effects
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / metabolism
  • Kidney Tubules, Proximal / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mitochondria / drug effects
  • Mitochondria / metabolism
  • Mitochondrial Proteins / genetics
  • Mitochondrial Size / drug effects
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / deficiency
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / genetics
  • Receptors, Ghrelin / metabolism
  • Uncoupling Protein 2

Substances

  • Ghrelin
  • Ion Channels
  • Mitochondrial Proteins
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Receptors, Ghrelin
  • UCP2 protein, human
  • Ucp2 protein, mouse
  • Uncoupling Protein 2
  • Angiotensin II

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the grant from Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, Welfare. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.