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Apelin retards the progression of diabetic nephropathy

Robert T Day1, Rita C Cavaglieri, Denis Feliers

  • 1Department of Medicine/Renal Diseases, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA.

American Journal of Physiology. Renal Physiology
|January 11, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Apelin treatment protects against diabetic kidney disease by reducing inflammation and hypertrophy. Short-term apelin therapy improves antioxidant levels, while longer treatment is needed to decrease albuminuria in diabetic mice.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Research
  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology

Background:

  • Apelin and its receptor APJ have known protective effects in cardiovascular diseases, partly via antioxidant mechanisms.
  • Diabetic nephropathy is a significant complication of type 1 diabetes, characterized by kidney damage and inflammation.
  • The role of apelin in diabetic kidney disease progression was previously uninvestigated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the therapeutic effect of apelin on kidney disease progression in a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.
  • To determine if apelin treatment influences key markers of kidney damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
  • To assess the impact of short-term versus long-term apelin administration.

Main Methods:

  • Ove26 mice with type 1 diabetes received daily subcutaneous injections of apelin for 2 or 14 weeks.
  • Kidney tissue analysis included assessment of APJ localization, hypertrophy, inflammation markers (MCP-1, VCAM-1), NF-κB activation, and monocyte infiltration.
  • Albuminuria levels and expression of antioxidant enzymes (catalase) and the renin-angiotensin system components (Ang II, AT1) were measured.

Main Results:

  • Apelin treatment reduced kidney and glomerular hypertrophy and inhibited renal inflammation markers and NF-κB activation in diabetic mice.
  • Short-term apelin administration upregulated the antioxidant enzyme catalase, reversing its downregulation in diabetic kidneys.
  • Prolonged apelin treatment (14 weeks) significantly reduced albuminuria, whereas short-term treatment did not.
  • Apelin treatment did not affect glycemia, body weight, blood pressure, or renin-angiotensin system components.

Conclusions:

  • Apelin demonstrates a protective effect on diabetic kidney disease in mice, independent of the renin-angiotensin system.
  • Short-term apelin administration is sufficient to mitigate kidney hypertrophy and inflammation.
  • Longer-term apelin treatment is necessary to improve albuminuria, suggesting a dose- or duration-dependent therapeutic window.
  • Apelin represents a potential novel therapeutic agent for managing diabetic nephropathy.

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