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Theranostics 2019; 9(6):1698-1713. doi:10.7150/thno.30640 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction

Xin Qin1, Yan Zhao2, Jing Gong2, Wenya Huang2, Hao Su1, Fen Yuan1, Ke Fang2, Dingkun Wang2, Jingbin Li2, Xin Zou1, Lijun Xu1, Hui Dong1✉, Fuer Lu1✉

1. Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
2. Department of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China

✉ Corresponding authors: Hui Dong, e-mail: tjhdonghuicom; Fuer Lu, e-mail: felutjmu.edu.cn

Citation:
Qin X, Zhao Y, Gong J, Huang W, Su H, Yuan F, Fang K, Wang D, Li J, Zou X, Xu L, Dong H, Lu F. Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction. Theranostics 2019; 9(6):1698-1713. doi:10.7150/thno.30640. https://www.thno.org/v09p1698.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Elevated levels of plasma free fatty acid (FFA) and disturbed mitochondrial dynamics play crucial roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). However, the mechanisms by which FFA leads to mitochondrial damage in glomerular podocytes of DKD and the effects of Berberine (BBR) on podocytes are not fully understood.

Methods: Using the db/db diabetic mice model and cultured mouse podocytes, we investigated the molecular mechanism of FFA-induced disturbance of mitochondrial dynamics in podocytes and testified the effects of BBR on regulating mitochondrial dysfunction, podocyte apoptosis and glomerulopathy in the progression of DKD.

Results: Intragastric administration of BBR for 8 weeks in db/db mice significantly reversed glucose and lipid metabolism disorders, podocyte damage, basement membrane thickening, mesangial expansion and glomerulosclerosis. BBR strongly inhibited podocyte apoptosis, increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, mitochondrial fragmentation and dysfunction both in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, BBR could stabilize mitochondrial morphology in podocytes via abolishing palmitic acid (PA)-induced activation of dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1).

Conclusions: Our study demonstrated for the first time that BBR may have a previously unrecognized role in protecting glomerulus and podocytes via positively regulating Drp1-mediated mitochondrial dynamics. It might serve as a novel therapeutic drug for the treatment of DKD.

Keywords: diabetic kidney disease, podocyte, mitochondrial fission, dynamin-related protein 1, Berberine

Citation styles

APA
Qin, X., Zhao, Y., Gong, J., Huang, W., Su, H., Yuan, F., Fang, K., Wang, D., Li, J., Zou, X., Xu, L., Dong, H., Lu, F. (2019). Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction. Theranostics, 9(6), 1698-1713. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.30640.

ACS
Qin, X.; Zhao, Y.; Gong, J.; Huang, W.; Su, H.; Yuan, F.; Fang, K.; Wang, D.; Li, J.; Zou, X.; Xu, L.; Dong, H.; Lu, F. Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction. Theranostics 2019, 9 (6), 1698-1713. DOI: 10.7150/thno.30640.

NLM
Qin X, Zhao Y, Gong J, Huang W, Su H, Yuan F, Fang K, Wang D, Li J, Zou X, Xu L, Dong H, Lu F. Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction. Theranostics 2019; 9(6):1698-1713. doi:10.7150/thno.30640. https://www.thno.org/v09p1698.htm

CSE
Qin X, Zhao Y, Gong J, Huang W, Su H, Yuan F, Fang K, Wang D, Li J, Zou X, Xu L, Dong H, Lu F. 2019. Berberine Protects Glomerular Podocytes via Inhibiting Drp1-Mediated Mitochondrial Fission and Dysfunction. Theranostics. 9(6):1698-1713.

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