Details of a Researcher

Papers - ITOH Hiroshi

Division display 301 - 320 of about 549 ／ All the affair displays >>

Generation of kidney tubular organoids from human pluripotent stem cells

Yamaguchi, S., Morizane, R., Homma, K., Monkawa, T., Suzuki, S., Fujii, S., Koda, M., Hiratsuka, K., Yamashita, M., Yoshida, T., Wakino, S., Hayashi, K., Sasaki, J., Hori, S. and Itoh, H.

Sci Rep 6 38353 2016.12

ISSN 2045-2322

Recent advances in stem cell research have resulted in methods to generate kidney organoids from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), which contain cells of multiple lineages including nephron epithelial cells. Methods to purify specific types of cells from differentiated hPSCs, however, have not been established well. For bioengineering, cell transplantation, and disease modeling, it would be useful to establish those methods to obtain pure populations of specific types of kidney cells. Here, we report a simple two-step differentiation protocol to generate kidney tubular organoids from hPSCs with direct purification of KSP (kidney specific protein)-positive cells using anti-KSP antibody. We first differentiated hPSCs into mesoderm cells using a glycogen synthase kinase-3beta inhibitor for 3 days, then cultured cells in renal epithelial growth medium to induce KSP+ cells. We purified KSP+ cells using flow cytometry with anti-KSP antibody, which exhibited characteristics of all segments of kidney tubular cells and cultured KSP+ cells in 3D Matrigel, which formed tubular organoids in vitro. The formation of tubular organoids by KSP+ cells induced the acquisition of functional kidney tubules. KSP+ cells also allowed for the generation of chimeric kidney cultures in which human cells self-assembled into 3D tubular structures in combination with mouse embryonic kidney cells.

Access to Document (DOI)

Nonalbuminuric Renal Insufficiency: Can It Be a Novel Category of Diabetic Nephropathy?

Tanaka, M. and Itoh, H.

Endocrinol Metab (Seoul) 31 ( 4 ) 533 - 534 2016.12

ISSN 2093-596X

Access to Document (DOI)

Obesity-induced kidney injury is attenuated by amelioration of aberrant PHD2 activation in proximal tubules

Futatsugi, K., Tokuyama, H., Shibata, S., Naitoh, M., Kanda, T., Minakuchi, H., Yamaguchi, S., Hayashi, K., Minamishima, Y. A., Yanagita, M., Wakino, S. and Itoh, H.

Sci Rep 6 36533 2016.11

ISSN 2045-2322

The involvement of tissue ischemia in obesity-induced kidney injury remains to be elucidated. Compared with low fat diet (LFD)-mice, high fat diet (HFD)-fed mice became obese with tubular enlargement, glomerulomegaly and peritubular capillary rarefaction, and exhibited both tubular and glomerular damages. In HFD-fed mice, despite the increase in renal pimonidazole-positive areas, the expressions of the hypoxia-responsive genes such as Prolyl-hydroxylase PHD2, a dominant oxygen sensor, and VEGFA were unchanged indicating impaired hypoxic response. Tamoxifen inducible proximal tubules (PT)-specific Phd2 knockout (Phd2-cKO) mice and their littermate control mice (Control) were created and fed HFD or LFD. Control mice on HFD (Control HFD) exhibited renal damages and renal ischemia with impaired hypoxic response compared with those on LFD. After tamoxifen treatment, HFD-fed knockout mice (Phd2-cKO HFD) had increased peritubular capillaries and the increased expressions of hypoxia responsive genes compared to Control HFD mice. Phd2-cKO HFD also exhibited the mitigation of tubular damages, albuminuria and glomerulomegaly. In human PT cells, the increased expressions of hypoxia-inducible genes in hypoxic condition were attenuated by free fatty acids. Thus, aberrant hypoxic responses due to dysfunction of PHD2 caused both glomerular and tubular damages in HFD-induced obese mice. Phd2-inactivation provides a novel strategy against obesity-induced kidney injury.

Access to Document (DOI)

Corrigendum to "Placental (pro)renin receptor expression and plasma soluble (pro)renin receptor levels in preeclampsia" [YPLAC 37C (2016) 72-78]

Nartita, T., Ichihara, A., Matsuoka, K., Takai, Y., Bokuda, K., Morimoto, S., Itoh, H. and Seki, H.

Placenta 47 130 2016.11

ISSN 0143-4004

Access to Document (DOI)

The role of short-chain fatty acid on blood pressure regulation

Miyamoto, J., Kasubuchi, M., Nakajima, A., Irie, J., Itoh, H. and Kimura, I.

Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 25 ( 5 ) 379 - 83 2016.09

ISSN 1062-4821

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The gut microbiota and its metabolites have been implicated in the regulation of host physiological functions such as inflammatory and metabolic responses. The short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) receptor is expressed in the kidney and blood vessels as well, and has been reported to function as a regulator of blood pressure (BP). This review highlights the role of SCFAs derived from gut microbial fermentation in the regulation of BP. RECENT FINDINGS: Olfactory receptor 78 (Olfr78) is a member of the G-protein-coupled receptor family, and it plays a key role as a chemosensor in various tissues. Both Olfr78 and G protein-coupled receptor 41 (GPR41) are expressed in smooth muscle cells of blood vessels and they recognize SCFAs. Oral administration of SCFAs was found to change BP in vivo, an effect that was altered in Olfr78 and GPR41-deficient mice. SUMMARY: The regulation of BP via SCFA receptors has provided new insights into the interactions between the gut microbiota and BP control systems. We summarize these interactions and describe their contributions to a novel pathway involved in BP regulation. These recent findings could open new avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Access to Document (DOI)

Colonic Pro-inflammatory Macrophages Cause Insulin Resistance in an Intestinal Ccl2/Ccr2-Dependent Manner

Kawano, Y., Nakae, J., Watanabe, N., Kikuchi, T., Tateya, S., Tamori, Y., Kaneko, M., Abe, T., Onodera, M. and Itoh, H.

Cell Metab 24 ( 2 ) 295 - 310 2016.08

ISSN 1550-4131

High-fat diet (HFD) induces low-grade chronic inflammation and insulin resistance. However, little is known about the mechanism underlying HFD-induced chronic inflammation in peripheral insulin-responsive tissues. Here, we show that colonic pro-inflammatory macrophages regulate insulin sensitivity under HFD conditions. To investigate the pathophysiological role of colonic macrophages, we generated macrophage-specific chemokine (C-C Motif) receptor 2 (Ccr2) knockout (M-Ccr2KO) and intestinal epithelial cell-specific tamoxifen-inducible Ccl2 knockout (Vil-Ccl2KO) mice. Both strains exhibited similar body weight to control under HFD. However, they exhibited decreased infiltration of colonic pro-inflammatory macrophages, decreased intestinal permeability, and inactivation of the colonic inflammasome. Interestingly, they showed significantly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity with decreased chronic inflammation of adipose tissue. Therefore, inhibition of pro-inflammatory macrophage infiltration prevents HFD-induced insulin resistance and could be a novel therapeutic approach for type 2 diabetes.

Access to Document (DOI)

Dysbiosis in the Pathophysiology of Coronary Artery Disease

Irie, J. and Itoh, H.

J Atheroscler Thromb 23 ( 8 ) 901 - 2 2016.08

ISSN 1340-3478

Access to Document (DOI)

Rationale and Design of the Standard Versus Intensive Statin Therapy for Hypercholesterolemic Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy (EMPATHY) Study: a Randomized Controlled Trial

Ueshima, K., Itoh, H., Kanazawa, N., Komuro, I., Nagai, R., Takeuchi, M. and Yamazaki, T.

J Atheroscler Thromb 23 ( 8 ) 976 - 90 2016.08

ISSN 1340-3478

AIM: Hyperlipidemia and diabetic retinopathy increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The standard versus intEnsive statin therapy for hypercholesteroleMic Patients with diAbetic retinopaTHY (EMPATHY) study examines whether intensive lipid-lowering therapy is superior to standard therapy in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular events in patients with hyperlipidemia and diabetic retinopathy, but without a history of coronary artery disease. METHODS: Patients who had elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and diabetic retinopathy without a history of coronary artery disease were eligible for the study. Patients were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive intensive or standard therapy. Patients are being treated with monotherapy with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitor (statin) for a maximum of 5.5 years to achieve the following LDL-C target: 70 mg/dL for the intensive therapy group or >/=100 and 120 mg/dL for the standard therapy group. The primary endpoint is a composite of incidence of CVD and death from CVD. RESULTS: Between May 2010 and October 2013, 5,995 patients were assessed for eligibility, and 5,144 were assigned to the study treatment (2,571 and 2,573 in the intensive and standard therapy groups, respectively), and baseline data were analyzed from 5,107 (2,550 in the intensive therapy group and 2,557 in the standard therapy group). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study assessing the benefits of intensive statin therapy in patients with hypercholesterolemia and diabetic retinopathy in a primary prevention setting. Furthermore, this study evaluates the appropriateness of the treat-to-target approach because all patients are treated to achieve specific LDL-C targets by titrating statin therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: UMIN000003486.

Access to Document (DOI)

Effects of Obesity and Diabetes on alpha- and beta-Cell Mass in Surgically Resected Human Pancreas

Inaishi, J., Saisho, Y., Sato, S., Kou, K., Murakami, R., Watanabe, Y., Kitago, M., Kitagawa, Y., Yamada, T. and Itoh, H.

J Clin Endocrinol Metab 101 ( 7 ) 2874 - 82 2016.07

ISSN 0021-972

CONTEXT: The ethnic difference in beta-cell regenerative capacity in response to obesity may be attributable to different phenotypes of type 2 diabetes among ethnicities. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the effects of diabetes and obesity on beta- (BCM) and alpha-cell mass (ACM) in the Japanese population. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: We obtained the pancreases of 99 individuals who underwent pancreatic surgery and whose resected pancreas sample contained adequate normal pancreas for histological analysis. Questionnaires on a family history of diabetes and history of obesity were conducted in 59 patients. Pancreatic sections were stained for insulin or glucagon, and fractional beta- and alpha-cell area were measured. Islet size and density as well as beta-cell turnover were also quantified. RESULTS: In patients with diabetes, BCM was decreased by 46% compared with age- and body mass index-matched nondiabetic patients (1.48% +/- 1.08% vs 0.80% +/- 0.54%, P < .001), whereas there was no difference in ACM between the groups. There was no effect of obesity or history of obesity on BCM and ACM irrespective of the presence or absence of diabetes. There was a negative correlation between BCM, but not ACM, and glycated hemoglobin before and after pancreatic surgery. In addition, reduced BCM was observed in patients with pancreatic cancer compared with those with other pancreatic tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the increase in BCM in the face of insulin resistance is extremely limited in the Japanese, and BCM rather than ACM has a major role in regulating blood glucose level in humans.

Access to Document (DOI)

Combination of 5-aminolevulinic acid and ferrous ion reduces plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels in Zucker diabetic fatty rats

Hara, T., Koda, A., Nozawa, N., Ota, U., Kondo, H., Nakagawa, H., Kamiya, A., Miyashita, K., Itoh, H., Nakajima, M. and Tanaka, T.

FEBS Open Bio 6 ( 6 ) 515 - 28 2016.06

ISSN 2211-5463

Mitochondrial dysfunction is associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). 5-Aminolevulinic acid (ALA), a natural amino acid produced only in the mitochondria, is a precursor of heme. Cytochromes that contain heme play an important role in aerobic energy metabolism. Thus, ALA may help reduce T2DM-associated hyperglycemia. In this study, we investigated the effect of ALA combined with sodium ferrous citrate (SFC) on hyperglycemia in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. We found that the gavage administration of ALA combined with SFC (ALA/SFC) for 6 weeks reduced plasma glucose and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels in rats without affecting plasma insulin levels. The glucose-lowering effect depended on the amount of ALA/SFC administered per day. Furthermore, the glucose tolerance was also significantly improved by ALA/SFC administration. Although food intake was slightly reduced in the rats administered ALA/SFC, there was no effect on their body weight. Importantly, ALA/SFC administration induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression in white adipose tissue and liver, and the induced expression levels of HO-1 correlated with the glucose-lowering effects of ALA/SFC. Taken together, these results suggest that ALA combined with ferrous ion is effective in reducing hyperglycemia of T2DM without affecting plasma insulin levels. HO-1 induction may be involved in the mechanisms underlying the glucose-lowering effect of ALA/SFC.

Access to Document (DOI)

miR-363 induces transdifferentiation of human kidney tubular cells to mesenchymal phenotype

Morizane, R., Fujii, S., Monkawa, T., Hiratsuka, K., Yamaguchi, S., Homma, K. and Itoh, H.

Clin Exp Nephrol 20 ( 3 ) 394 - 401 2016.06

ISSN 1342-1751

BACKGROUND: microRNAs (miRNAs) are non-coding small RNAs that regulate embryonic development, cell differentiation and pathological processes via interaction with mRNA. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is pathological process that involves in a variety of diseases such as cancer or fibrosis. METHODS: In this study, we identified miR-363 as a potent inducer of EMT by microarray analysis in human kidney tubular cells, and analyzed the function and mechanisms of miR-363. RESULTS: Overexpression of miR-363 induced mesenchymal phenotypes with loss of epithelial phenotypes in human kidney tubular cells. In addition, in vitro scratch assay demonstrated that miR-363 promotes cell migration of primary culture of human kidney tubular cells. We identified TWIST/canonical WNT pathway as the downstream effecter of miR-363, and inhibition of canonical WNT by small molecule, IWR-1, attenuated EMT induced by miR-363. CONCLUSION: miR-363 induces transdifferentiation of human kidney tubular cells via upregulation of TWIST/canonical WNT pathway.

Access to Document (DOI)

The role of adipose tissue asymmetric dimethylarginine/dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase pathway in adipose tissue phenotype and metabolic abnormalities in subtotally nephrectomized rats

Minakuchi, H., Wakino, S., Hosoya, K., Sueyasu, K., Hasegawa, K., Shinozuka, K., Yoshifuji, A., Futatsugi, K., Komatsu, M., Kanda, T., Tokuyama, H., Hayashi, K. and Itoh, H.

Nephrol Dial Transplant 31 ( 3 ) 413 - 23 2016.03

ISSN 0931-0509

BACKGROUND: The lipodystrophy-like phenotype has been suggested in early chronic kidney disease (CKD). It includes adipose tissue atrophy, systemic insulin resistance (IR), dyslipidemia and ectopic lipid accumulation. To elucidate its pathogenesis, we investigated the role of two uremic toxins that affect insulin sensitivity: an endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) and indoxyl sulfate (IS). METHODS: Six-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were rendered CKD by subtotal nephrectomy (Nx) and compared with sham-operated rats. Cultured 3T3-L1 fibroblasts were differentiated into mature adipocytes with or without ADMA. Transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing each isoform of ADMA degrading enzyme, dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1 (DDAH1) and DDAH2 were subject to Nx and their phenotypes were investigated. RESULTS: In Nx rats, IR was evident and insulin stimulation failed to activate insulin signaling in adipose tissues. Adipose tissue weight, adipocyte size and adipocyte differentiation marker expressions decreased as a consequence of IR in Nx. Tissue lipid content in the liver and muscle increased in Nx rats. Tissue levels of ADMA, IS and oxidative stress increased in the adipose tissue of Nx rats. Both DDAH1 and DDAH2 expressions decreased, and a putative IS receptor, aryl hydrocarbon receptor, expression increased in the adipose tissue of Nx rats. ADMA inhibited adipocyte differentiation, triglyceride accumulation and insulin signaling, which were reversed by pretreatment with cGMP. In each type of Tg mice overexpressing DDAH1 or DDAH2, all lipodystrophy-like phenotypes induced by Nx were reversed. CONCLUSIONS: In mild CKD, dysregulation of the ADMA/DDAH pathway in adipose tissue triggers lipodystrophy-like phenotype changes, including ectopic fat depositions.

Access to Document (DOI)

Gut Lactobacillus protects against the progression of renal damage by modulating the gut environment in rats

Yoshifuji, A., Wakino, S., Irie, J., Tajima, T., Hasegawa, K., Kanda, T., Tokuyama, H., Hayashi, K. and Itoh, H.

Nephrol Dial Transplant 31 ( 3 ) 401 - 12 2016.03

ISSN 0931-0509

BACKGROUND: The role of gut microbiota in the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) has not been fully elucidated. METHODS: Renal failure was induced in 6-week-old spontaneously hypertensive rats by 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx). We analyzed the gut microbiota population to identify the relevant species potentially involved in inducing renal damage. Human colon Caco-2 cells were used to delineate the mechanism involved in the molecular changes in the gut of Nx rats. RESULTS: Nx rats showed an increase in Bacteroides (Bact) and a decrease in Lactobacillus (Lact) species compared with sham-operated rats. Lact, but not Bact, populations were significantly associated with urinary protein excretion. Treatment of Nx rats with 1 x 10(10) CFU/kg/day Lact ameliorated increased urinary protein excretion and higher serum levels of the uremic toxins, indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate, and serum urea nitrogen levels. Lact also attenuated systemic inflammation in Nx rats, as evaluated by serum lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein levels. Histologically, renal sclerosis in Nx rats was restored by Lact treatment. A reduction in the expression of tight junction proteins and the Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), a putative Lact receptor, in the colons of Nx rats were mitigated by Lact. Treatment of Caco-2 cells with indole downregulated tight junction protein expression, which was abolished by exposure to Lact. The effects of Lact were reversed by treatment with OxPAPC, a TLR inhibitor. Similarly, the increase in the permeability of the Caco-2 cell monolayer was reversed by the administration of Lact. Lact upregulated TLR2 expression in Caco-2 cells. Lact also attenuated the increase in serum indoxyl sulfate and urea levels and urinary protein excretion in Nx rats even in the pseudogerm-free environment. CONCLUSIONS: Lact supplementation mitigated the systemic inflammation and proteinuria associated with renal failure, suggesting that in the gut microbiota, Lact plays a protective role against the progression of CKD.

Access to Document (DOI)

Intestinal Bile Acid Composition Modulates Prohormone Convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) Expression and Consequent GLP-1 Production in Male Mice

Morimoto, K., Watanabe, M., Sugizaki, T., Irie, J. and Itoh, H.

Endocrinology 157 ( 3 ) 1071 - 81 2016.03

ISSN 0013-7227

Besides an established medication for hypercholesterolemia, bile acid binding resins (BABRs) present antidiabetic effects. Although the mechanisms underlying these effects are still enigmatic, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) appears to be involved. In addition to a few reported mechanisms, we propose prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), an essential enzyme of GLP-1 production, as a potent molecule in the GLP-1 release induced by BABRs. In our study, the BABR colestimide leads to a bile acid-specific G protein-coupled receptor TGR5-dependent induction of PC1/3 gene expression. Here, we focused on the alteration of intestinal bile acid composition and consequent increase of total TGR5 agonistic activity to explain the TGR5 activation. Furthermore, we demonstrate that nuclear factor of activated T cells mediates the TGR5-triggered PC1/3 gene expression. Altogether, our data indicate that the TGR5-dependent intestinal PC1/3 gene expression supports the BABR-stimulated GLP-1 release. We also propose a combination of BABR and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor in the context of GLP-1-based antidiabetic therapy.

Access to Document (DOI)

Placental (pro)renin receptor expression and plasma soluble (pro)renin receptor levels in preeclampsia

Nartita, T., Ichihara, A., Matsuoka, K., Takai, Y., Bokuda, K., Morimoto, S., Itoh, H. and Seki, H.

Placenta 37 72 - 8 2016.01

ISSN 0143-4004

INTRODUCTION: The prorenin receptor ((P)RR) contributes to the regulation of the tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the function of V-ATPase, which are essential for Wnt signaling. Thus, (P)RRs may be involved in the control both of feto-placental and maternal circulation during pregnancy. This study was conducted to clarify how placental (P)RR expression and plasma soluble (P)RR [s(P)RR] levels are associated with blood pressure elevations and renal function during pregnancy. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, conducted at Saitama medical center in 2010-2013. Preeclamptic women (n = 16) diagnosed according to the criteria of Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology and normotensive pregnant women (n = 15) participated in the study. We measured the expression of (P)RR in the placenta, plasma s(P)RR levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). RESULTS: Placental expression of (P)RR was significantly higher in preeclamptic women than in normotensive pregnant women. The plasma s(P)RR levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than in normotensive pregnant women. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was positively correlated with placental (P)RR levels (P = 0.0001) and plasma s(P)RR levels (P = 0.005) in all pregnant women. In preeclamptic women, SBP was positively correlated with placental (P)RR levels (P = 0.004), but not with plasma s(P)RR levels (P = 0.15). The eGFR was negatively correlated with placental (P)RR levels (P = 0.02) and plasma s(P)RR levels (P = 0.0002) in all pregnant women. In preeclamptic women, eGFR was negatively correlated with plasma s(P)RR levels (P = 0.006), but not with placental (P)RR levels (P = 0.93). DISCUSSION: Placental (P)RR can be involved in blood pressure regulation via the tissue RAS. On the other hand, plasma s(P)RR may be involved in the pathogenesis of decreased renal function in preeclampsia.

Access to Document (DOI)

Time-dependent changes in insulin requirement for maternal glycemic control during antenatal corticosteroid therapy in women with gestational diabetes: a retrospective study

Itoh, A., Saisho, Y., Miyakoshi, K., Fukutake, M., Kasuga, Y., Ochiai, D., Matsumoto, T., Tanaka, M. and Itoh, H.

Endocr J 63 ( 1 ) 101 - 4 2016

ISSN 0918-8959

Though recommended for pregnant women at risk of preterm birth to improve perinatal outcomes, antenatal corticosteroid (ACS) treatment can cause maternal hyperglycemia, especially in cases of glucose intolerance. A standardized protocol for preventing hyperglycemia during ACS treatment remains to be established. We herein retrospectively investigated the time-dependent changes in insulin dose required for maternal glycemic control during ACS treatment in gestational diabetes (GDM). Twelve singleton pregnant women with GDM who received 12 mg of betamethasone intramuscularly twice 24 hours apart were included in this analysis. Of those, eight also received ritodrine hydrochloride for preterm labor. The blood glucose levels were maintained at 70-120 mg/dL with continuous intravenous infusion of insulin and nothing by mouth for 48 hours after the first betamethasone administration. After the first dose of betamethasone, the insulin dosage needed for glycemic control gradually increased and reached a maximum (6.6 +/- 5.8 units/hr) at 10 hours, then, decreased to 4.1 +/- 1.5 units/hr at 24 hours. Similar changes in the insulin requirement were found after the second betamethasone dose (the maximum insulin dosage: 5.5 +/- 1.6 units/hr at 9 hours following the second administration). Women treated with ritodrine hydrochloride needed more insulin, than those without ritodrine hydrochloride treatment (130.8 +/- 15.0 vs. 76.8 +/- 15.2 units/day, respectively, p < 0.05). Our data indicated that the requirement for insulin is highest 9-10 hours after each dose of betamethasone. When GDM is treated with ACS, levels of blood glucose should be carefully monitored, especially in patients treated with ritodrine hydrochloride.

Access to Document (DOI)

Palmitic acid-rich diet suppresses glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pancreatic islets in mice

Hirata, T., Kawai, T., Hirose, H., Tanaka, K., Kurosawa, H., Fujii, C., Fujita, H., Seto, Y., Matsumoto, H. and Itoh, H.

Endocr Res 41 ( 1 ) 8 - 15 2016

ISSN 0743-5800

The objective was to clarify whether dietary palmitic acid supplementation affects glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress pathway in pancreatic islets in mice. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into three treatment diet groups: control diet, palmitic acid-supplemented diet (PAL) and oleic acid-supplemented diet (OLE). After 2 weeks of treatment, intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test and intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test were performed. GSIS was assessed by pancreatic perfusion in situ with basal (100 mg/dL) glucose followed by a high (300 mg/dL) glucose concentration. We measured mRNA levels of ER stress markers such as C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), immunoglobulin heavy-chain binding protein (BIP) and X-box binding protein (XBP)-1 using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses in isolated islets. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed. Mice fed PAL showed significantly decreased glucose tolerance (p < 0.05). In the perfusion study, GSIS was significantly suppressed in the PAL group (p < 0.05). Semi-quantitative RT-PCR revealed that islet CHOP, BIP, and XBP-1 mRNA expression were significantly increased in the PAL group (p < 0.05). TUNEL-positive beta-cells were not detected in all groups. Dietary palmitic acid-supplementation for 2 weeks might suppress GSIS and induce ER stress in pancreatic islets in mice, in the early stage of lipotoxicity.

Access to Document (DOI)

DNA Damage and Epigenetic Changes in Kidney Diseases - Focused on Transcription Factors in Podocytes

Hayashi, K., Hishikawa, A. and Itoh, H.

Curr Hypertens Rev 12 ( 2 ) 105 - 11 2016

ISSN 1573-4021

Recently it has been shown that epigenetic mechanisms are involved in initiation and progression of caridiovascular and metabolic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, atherosclerosis, heart failure, hypertension and kidney diseases. In these chronic diseases, various exogenous and endogenous stresses cause DNA damage, followed by DNA repair process. Accumulation of DNA damages and impaired repair process can lead to epigenetic changes, which may contribute to onset and progression of diseases. Recently we have shown that therapeutic effect of transcription factor KLF4 (Kruppel-like factor 4) in kidney glomerular epithelial cells (podocytes) on proteinuric kidney diseases through epigenetic mechanisms. Our result suggests the possibility of transcription factors as a target of selective epigenetic therapy. Moreover, we have reported that renin-angiotensin system (RAS) blockers, which are widely prescribed for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, can restore epigenetic changes through KLF4 in part. These results suggest that activation of RAS causes epigenetic changes in disease states, and elucidation of the precise mechanism may lead to establishment of novel therapeutic target of kidney diseases. In this review we focus on DNA damage repair system and epigenetic modulators in disease states, and speculate a candidate for epigenetic therapy of kidney diseases.

Communication from Tubular Epithelial Cells to Podocytes through Sirt1 and Nicotinic Acid Metabolism

Hasegawa, K., Wakino, S., Sakamaki, Y., Muraoka, H., Umino, H., Minakuchi, H., Yoshifuji, A., Naitoh, M., Shinozuka, K., Futatsugi, K., Urai, H., Kanda, T., Tokuyama, H., Hayashi, K. and Itoh, H.

Curr Hypertens Rev 12 ( 2 ) 95 - 104 2016

ISSN 1573-4021

We have recently published that tubular epithelial cells affect the podocyte epigenome though nicotinic acid metabolism in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and we have named this relationship "proximal tubule-podocyte communication". In this review, we describe this novel mechanism in the early stage of DN, focusing on the function of renal tubular Sirt1 and Sirt1-related nicotinic acid metabolism. Mainly, we discuss the following three findings. First, we described the details of proximal tubule-podocyte communication. Second, we explained how Sirt1 regulates albuminuria via epigenetic mechanisms. This means that repeated high glucose stress triggers the initial changes in proximal tubules, which lead to the epigenetically irreversible glomerular damages. However, proximal tubular Sirt1 overexpression can rescue these changes. Our previous data indicated that the decrease in Sirt1 expression in proximal tubules caused the reduction in glomerular Sirt1 and the subsequent increase in glomerular Claudin-1. It seemed plausible that some humoral mediator is released from proximal tubules, migrates to podocytes and glomeruli, and affects Sirt1 expression in podocytes. Third, we mentioned a mediator connecting this communication, nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). We suggest the potential of Sirt1 or NMN as not only a therapeutic target but also as a prognostic marker of very early stage DN.

Adrenal Insufficiency under Standard Dosage of Glucocorticoid Replacement after Unilateral Adrenalectomy for Cushing's Syndrome

Fujii, K., Miyashita, K., Kurihara, I., Hiratsuka, K., Sato, S., Yokota, K., Kobayashi, S., Shibata, H. and Itoh, H.

Case Rep Endocrinol 2016 2347528 2016

ISSN 2090-6501

Glucocorticoid replacement is needed for patients after adrenal surgery for Cushing's syndrome; however, the adequate dosage is not easily determined. The patient was a 62-year-old woman who has had hypertension for 5 years and presented with heart failure due to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. She consulted with us because of general fatigue, facial edema, and muscle weakness and was diagnosed with Cushing's syndrome. A laparoscopic left adrenalectomy was performed, standard dosage of postoperative replacement was administered, and she was discharged with 30 mg/day of hydrocortisone (cortisol). However, she suffered from loss of appetite and was transferred to an emergency unit with the symptoms of adrenal insufficiency on postoperative day 15. After initial hydrocortisone replacement with 200 mg/day, the dosage was gradually decreased during hospitalization; however, reduction of hydrocortisone dosage lower than 60 mg/day was difficult because of nausea and fatigue. Her circadian cortisol profile after hydrocortisone administration showed delayed and lowered peaks, which suggested that hydrocortisone absorption in the intestine was impaired. Therefore, complicated heart failure may have led to the adrenal insufficiency in the patient. In such cases, we should consider postoperative administration of more than the standard dosage of hydrocortisone to avoid adrenal insufficiency after surgery for Cushing's syndrome.

Access to Document (DOI)

　 Previous page - Next page 　