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Frontiers in Physiology 2023Our previous study showed that vitamin D (VD)-vitamin D receptor () plays a nephroprotective role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI)....
Our previous study showed that vitamin D (VD)-vitamin D receptor () plays a nephroprotective role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). Recently, glucose metabolism reprogramming was reported to be involved in the pathogenesis of AKI. To investigate the role of VD- in glucose metabolism reprogramming in LPS-induced AKI. We established a model of LPS-induced AKI in knockout (-KO) mice, renal proximal tubular-specific -overexpressing (-OE) mice and wild-type C57BL/6 mice. , human proximal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2 cells), knockout and overexpression HK-2 cell lines were used. Paricalcitol (an active vitamin D analog) or -OE reduced lactate concentration, hexokinase activity and PDHA1 phosphorylation (a key step in inhibiting aerobic oxidation) and simultaneously ameliorated renal inflammation, apoptosis and kidney injury in LPS-induced AKI mice, which were more severe in -KO mice. In experiments, glucose metabolism reprogramming, inflammation and apoptosis induced by LPS were alleviated by treatment with paricalcitol or dichloroacetate (DCA, an inhibitor of p-). Moreover, paricalcitol activated the phosphorylation of -activated protein kinase (), and an inhibitor partially abolished the protective effect of paricalcitol in LPS-treated HK-2 cells. VD- alleviated LPS-induced metabolic reprogramming in the kidneys of AKI mice, which may be attributed to the inactivation of phosphorylation the pathway.
PubMed: 36909229
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1083643 -
The Chinese Journal of Physiology 2023Acute cardiomyopathy is a significant global health concern and one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Prior studies have shown an association...
Paricalcitol improved cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis through upregulation of fibroblast growth factor-23 and downregulation of transforming growth factor-beta in a rat model of isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy.
Acute cardiomyopathy is a significant global health concern and one of the leading causes of death in developed countries. Prior studies have shown an association between acute cardiomyopathy and low vitamin D levels. Although paricalcitol, a vitamin D receptor (VDR) activator, has demonstrated clinical benefits in patients with advanced kidney disease, its effect on cardiac remodeling in cardiomyopathy is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the relative effects of paricalcitol on cardiomyopathy in rats. Wistar-Kyoto rats were administered vehicle (sham control group) or isoproterenol to induce cardiomyopathy. Rats administered isoproterenol were subsequently treated with paricalcitol (experimental group) or vehicle (isoproterenol group). Picrosirius red and immunofluorescence staining were used to analyze cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. Immunohistochemistry staining was used to confirm the molecular mechanisms involved in isoproterenol-induced cardiomyopathy in rats. Injection of paricalcitol could reduce collagen and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) levels while activating fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) and fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF23) without the help of Klotho, thereby reducing myocardial hypertrophy and fibrosis. As a VDR activator, paricalcitol reduces isoproterenol-induced cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy by reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and enhancing the expression of VDR, FGFR1, and FGF23.
Topics: Humans; Rats; Animals; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Up-Regulation; Isoproterenol; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Down-Regulation; Fibroblast Growth Factor-23; Rats, Inbred WKY; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiomegaly; Fibrosis; Transforming Growth Factors
PubMed: 37929341
DOI: 10.4103/cjop.CJOP-D-23-00048 -
Experimental Biology and Medicine... Jan 2023The vascular endothelium is one of the main targets of oxidative stress which plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular damage. Recent studies show that...
The vascular endothelium is one of the main targets of oxidative stress which plays an important role in the pathophysiology of vascular damage. Recent studies show that vitamin D can positively regulate endothelial functions in various chronic diseases and in cases of increased oxidative stress. In our study, we investigated the restorative and protective potentials of paricalcitol which is frequently used in patients with chronic renal failure, a vitamin D analogue, in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) before and after HO-induced oxidative stress. Paricalcitol treatment after the oxidative stress induced by HO increased cell viability in endothelial cells depending on the dose that was used. While paricalcitol (500 nM) decreased caspase-3 activity and mitochondrial membrane potential loss, it increased nitric oxide (NO) production and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Paricalcitol treatment before oxidative stress increased cell viability. It increased NO production and mitochondrial membrane potential while significantly reducing caspase-3 activity. While paricalcitol caused a significant inhibition of protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) reductase activity in healthy endothelial cells, it did not cause a significant change on the PDI reductase activity under oxidative stress conditions. Present study showed that paricalcitol has restorative and protective effects on endothelial cells against oxidative injury, but these effects occur at high concentrations of paricalcitol.
Topics: Humans; Hydrogen Peroxide; Caspase 3; Apoptosis; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells; Oxidative Stress; Ergocalciferols; Nitric Oxide; Oxidoreductases; Reactive Oxygen Species
PubMed: 36373746
DOI: 10.1177/15353702221101615 -
Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine Oct 2020Paricalcitol and cinacalcet have been recommended to reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and chronic kidney...
Paricalcitol and cinacalcet have been recommended to reduce parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), and they are able to reduce the risk of hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. However, to date, it has remained uncertain which is the better drug. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects on PTH, calcium and phosphorus metabolism between the two drugs. The PubMed, the Cochrane Library and Embase databases were searched from inception to June 1, 2019 and eligible studies comparing paricalcitol and cinacalcet for SHPT were included. Data were analysed using Review Manager version 5.3. A total of 7 trials from six articles, comprising 456 patients in the paricalcitol group and 412 patients in the cinacalcet group, were included in the meta-analysis. There were no differences in PTH levels [mean difference (MD): 71.82, 95% CI: -185.20-328.85, P=0.58] and phosphorus levels (standard MD: 0.59, 95% CI: -0.82-2.00, P=0.41). The calcium levels in the paricalcitol group were significantly higher than those in the cinacalcet group (MD: 1.10, 95% CI: 0.92-1.28, P<0.05). In conclusion, paricalcitol and cinacalcet exhibited no difference in their efficacy to control of PTH levels, as they were similarly effective in decreasing the PTH levels. They also had comparable efficacy in the management of phosphorus levels. However, cinacalcet produced a significantly greater reduction in serum calcium levels. More large multicentre randomized controlled trials are necessary to confirm the conclusions of the present analysis.
PubMed: 32855693
DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.9044 -
Nutrients Nov 2023Vitamin D (VitD) and Vitamin D receptor () are suggested to play protective roles in the intestinal barrier in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the underlying...
Vitamin D (VitD) and Vitamin D receptor () are suggested to play protective roles in the intestinal barrier in ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Evidence demonstrates that Na/H exchanger isoform 8 (NHE8, SLC9A8) is essential in maintaining intestinal homeostasis, regarded as a promising target for UC therapy. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effects of VitD/VDR on NHE8 in intestinal protection. VitD-deficient mice, mice and mice were employed in this study. Colitis mice were established by supplementing DSS-containing water. Caco-2 cells and 3D-enteroids were used for in vitro studies. VDR siRNA (siVDR), VDR over-expression plasmid (pVDR), TNF-α and NF-κb p65 inhibitor QNZ were used for mechanical studies. The expression of interested proteins was detected by multiple techniques. In colitis mice, paricalcitol upregulated NHE8 expression was accompanied by restoring colonic mucosal injury. In VitD-deficient and colitis mice, NHE8 expression was compromised with more serious mucosal damage. Noteworthily, paricalcitol could not prevent intestinal barrier dysfunction and histological destruction in mice. In Caco-2 cells and enteroids, siVDR downregulated NHE8 expression, further promoted TNF-α-induced NHE8 downregulation and stimulated TNF-α-induced NF-κb p65 phosphorylation. Conversely, QNZ blocked TNF-α-induced NHE8 downregulation in the absence or presence of siVDR. Our study indicates depressed NHE8 expression is responsible for VitD-deficient-induced colitis aggravation. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms of VitD/VDR in intestine protection in UC.
Topics: Humans; Animals; Mice; Caco-2 Cells; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; NF-kappa B; Colitis; Intestinal Mucosa; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Dextran Sulfate; Colitis, Ulcerative
PubMed: 38004229
DOI: 10.3390/nu15224834 -
Pathophysiology : the Official Journal... Nov 2023As the impacts of diabetes-induced reproductive damage are now evident in young people, we are now in urgent need to devise new ways to protect and enhance the...
Combination Therapy with Enalapril and Paricalcitol Ameliorates Streptozotocin Diabetes-Induced Testicular Dysfunction in Rats via Mitigation of Inflammation, Apoptosis, and Oxidative Stress.
BACKGROUND
As the impacts of diabetes-induced reproductive damage are now evident in young people, we are now in urgent need to devise new ways to protect and enhance the reproductive health of diabetic people. The present study aimed to evaluate the protective effects of enalapril (an ACE inhibitor) and paricalcitol (a vitamin D analog), individually or in combination, on streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction in rats and to identify the possible mechanisms for this protection.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
This study was carried out on 50 male Sprague-Dawley rats; 10 normal rats were allocated as a non-diabetic control group. A total of 40 rats developed diabetes after receiving a single dose of STZ; then, the diabetic rats were divided into four groups of equivalent numbers assigned as diabetic control, enalapril-treated, paricalcitol-treated, and combined enalapril-and-paricalcitol-treated groups. The effects of mono and combined therapy with paricalcitol and enalapril on testicular functions, sperm activity, glycemic state oxidative stress, and inflammatory parameters, as well as histopathological examinations, were assessed in comparison with the normal and diabetic control rats.
RESULTS
As a result of diabetes induction, epididymal sperm count, sperm motility, serum levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) as well as luteinizing hormone (LH), and the antioxidant enzyme activities, were significantly decreased, while abnormal sperm (%), insulin resistance, nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were significantly increased, along with severe distortion of the testicular structure. Interestingly, treatment with paricalcitol and enalapril, either alone or in combination, significantly improved the sperm parameters, increased antioxidant enzyme activities in addition to serum levels of testosterone, FSH, and LH, reduced insulin resistance, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and finally ameliorated the diabetes-induced testicular oxidative stress and histopathological damage, with somewhat superior effect for paricalcitol monotherapy and combined therapy with both drugs compared to monotherapy with enalapril alone.
CONCLUSIONS
Monotherapy with paricalcitol and its combination therapy with enalapril has a somewhat superior effect in improving diabetes-induced testicular dysfunction (most probably as a result of their hypoglycemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties) compared with monotherapy with enalapril alone in male rats, recommending a synergistic impact of both drugs.
PubMed: 38133142
DOI: 10.3390/pathophysiology30040041 -
Nutrients Mar 2023Lifestyle habits and insufficient sunlight exposure lead to a high prevalence of vitamin D hypovitaminosis, especially in the elderly. Recent studies suggest that in... (Review)
Review
Lifestyle habits and insufficient sunlight exposure lead to a high prevalence of vitamin D hypovitaminosis, especially in the elderly. Recent studies suggest that in central Europe more than 50% of people over 60 years are not sufficiently supplied with vitamin D. Since vitamin D hypovitaminosis is associated with many diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), vitamin D supplementation seems to be particularly useful for this vulnerable age population. Importantly, in addition to vitamin D, several analogues are known and used for different medical purposes. These vitamin D analogues differ not only in their pharmacokinetics and binding affinity to the vitamin D receptor, but also in their potential side effects. Here, we discuss these aspects, especially those of the commonly used vitamin D analogues alfacalcidol, paricalcitol, doxercalciferol, tacalcitol, calcipotriol, and eldecalcitol. In addition to their pleiotropic effects on mechanisms relevant to AD, potential effects of vitamin D analogues on comorbidities common in the context of geriatric diseases are summarized. AD is defined as a complex neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system and is commonly represented in the elderly population. It is usually caused by extracellular accumulation of amyloidogenic plaques, consisting of amyloid (Aβ) peptides. Furthermore, the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary tangles involving hyperphosphorylated tau proteins contributes to the pathology of AD. In conclusion, this review emphasizes the importance of an adequate vitamin D supply and discusses the specifics of administering various vitamin D analogues compared with vitamin D in geriatric patients, especially those suffering from AD.
Topics: Humans; Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamins; tau Proteins; Amyloid beta-Peptides
PubMed: 37049524
DOI: 10.3390/nu15071684 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Nov 2022To compare the safety and efficacy of percutaneous paricalcitol injection with intravenously administered paricalcitol in treating parathyroid hyperplasia in patients...
PURPOSE
To compare the safety and efficacy of percutaneous paricalcitol injection with intravenously administered paricalcitol in treating parathyroid hyperplasia in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).
METHODS
This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of our institution. We retrospectively collected data on patients who received percutaneous paricalcitol injection (24 patients) and intravenously administered paricalcitol (22 patients) based on their intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) level. Serum iPTH, calcium, phosphorus, and the volume of the parathyroid gland were measured at several indicated time points after treatment, and adverse events associated with the two treatments were evaluated.
RESULTS
After 6 months of follow-up, we found that patients from the percutaneous injection group had significantly decreased levels of iPTH (from 1887.81 ± 726.81 pg/mL to 631.06 ± 393.06 pg/mL), phosphate (from 1.94 ± 0.36 mmol/L to 1.71 ± 0.34 mmol/L), and volume of the parathyroid gland (from 0.87 ± 0.50 cm to 0.60 ± 0.36 cm), with relief from ostealgia within 48-72 h. In the intravenously administered group, the levels of iPTH decreased from 686.87 ± 260.44 pg/mL to 388.47 ± 167.36 pg/mL; while there was no significant change in phosphate levels, the volume of the parathyroid gland and ostealgia relief were observed at the end of follow-up. The serum calcium level did not significantly change, and no severe complications were observed in both groups. In vitro fluorescence-activated single cell sorting (FACS) analysis indicated that paricalcitol induced parathyroid cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner.
CONCLUSIONS
Percutaneous paricalcitol injection is a selective treatment for SHPT in ESRD.
PubMed: 36431337
DOI: 10.3390/jcm11226860 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2021Vitamin D is a potent steroid hormone that induces widespread changes in gene expression and controls key biological pathways. Here we review pathophysiology of vitamin... (Review)
Review
Vitamin D is a potent steroid hormone that induces widespread changes in gene expression and controls key biological pathways. Here we review pathophysiology of vitamin D with particular reference to COVID-19 and pancreatic cancer. Utility as a therapeutic agent is limited by hypercalcemic effects and attempts to circumvent this problem have used vitamin D superagonists, with increased efficacy and reduced calcemic effect. A further caveat is that vitamin D mediates multiple diverse effects. Some of these (anti-fibrosis) are likely beneficial in patients with COVID-19 and pancreatic cancer, whereas others (reduced immunity), may be beneficial through attenuation of the cytokine storm in patients with advanced COVID-19, but detrimental in pancreatic cancer. Vitamin D superagonists represent an untapped resource for development of effective therapeutic agents. However, to be successful this approach will require agonists with high cell-tissue specificity.
Topics: Carcinoma, Pancreatic Ductal; Cytokine Release Syndrome; Humans; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Vitamin D; Vitamins; COVID-19 Drug Treatment
PubMed: 33868174
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.644298 -
Oxidative Medicine and Cellular... 2022Transition from cardiac hypertrophy to failure involves adverse metabolic reprogramming involving mitochondrial dysfunction. We have earlier shown that vitamin D...
OBJECTIVES
Transition from cardiac hypertrophy to failure involves adverse metabolic reprogramming involving mitochondrial dysfunction. We have earlier shown that vitamin D deficiency induces heart failure, at least in part, through insulin resistance. However, whether activation of vitamin D receptor (VDR) can attenuate heart failure and underlying metabolic phenotype requires investigation. Thus, we aimed to assess the cardioprotective potential of paricalcitol, a vitamin D receptor-activator, against cardiac hypertrophy and failure in high-fat high-fructose-fed rats.
METHODS
Male Sprague Dawley rats were fed control (Con) or high-fat high-fructose (HFHFrD) diet for 20 weeks. After 12 weeks, rats from HFHFrD group were divided into the following: HFHFrD, HFHFrD+P (paricalcitol 0.08 g/kg/day) and HFHFrD+E (enalapril maleate 10 mg/kg/day). Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, blood pressure measurement, and 2D echocardiography were performed. Cardiac fibrosis was assessed by Masson's trichrome staining of paraffin-embedded heart sections. Mitochondrial DNA and proteins, and citrate synthase activity were measured in rat hearts. VDR was silenced in H9c2 cardiomyoblasts, and immunoblotting was performed.
RESULTS
Paricalcitol improved glucose tolerance, serum lipid profile, and blood pressure in high-fat high-fructose-fed rats. Paricalcitol reduced cardiac wall thickness and increased ejection fraction in high-fat high-fructose-fed rats but had no effect on perivascular fibrosis. PGC1- was upregulated in the HFHFrD+P group compared to the HFHFrD group, but there was no significant difference in mitochondrial content. Citrate synthase activity was significantly higher in the HFHFrD+P group compared to the HFHFrD group. Rat hearts of the HFHFrD+P group had significantly higher expression of mitofusins. H9c2 cells with VDR knockdown showed significantly lower expression of Mfn2. Improvement in the HFHFrD+P group was comparable with that in the HFHFrD+E group.
CONCLUSIONS
Paricalcitol reverses cardiac dysfunction in rats with metabolic syndrome by enhancing mitochondrial fusion. We demonstrate repurposing potential of the drug currently used in end-stage kidney disease.
Topics: Animals; Cardiomegaly; Citrate (si)-Synthase; Ergocalciferols; Fructose; Heart Failure; Male; Metabolic Syndrome; Mitochondrial Dynamics; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Receptors, Calcitriol
PubMed: 35726330
DOI: 10.1155/2022/5554290