Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026
07:15
Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway
Published on: August 23, 2024
Morphine induces albuminuria by compromising podocyte integrity.
Xiqian Lan1, Partab Rai, Nirupama Chandel
1Renal Molecular Research Laboratoy, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Hofstra North Shore LIJ Medical School, Great Neck, New York, USA.
Plos One
|April 5, 2013
Summary
Morphine harms kidney filtration by damaging podocytes and reducing slit diaphragm molecules. This study reveals morphine
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) progression is linked to morphine use.
- The effect of morphine on the glomerular filtration barrier, particularly the slit diaphragm (SD), remains largely unknown.
- Podocyte integrity is crucial for maintaining kidney filtration function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of morphine on the glomerular filtration barrier.
- To specifically examine morphine's effects on podocyte integrity and slit diaphragm molecules (SDCM).
Main Methods:
- In vivo studies: Mice treated with morphine or saline, followed by urine collection and kidney analysis (immunohistochemistry, Western blot).
- In vitro studies: Human podocytes treated with morphine, followed by analysis of SD markers.
- Exploration of receptor pathways (opiate mu and kappa) and signaling pathways (AKT, p38, JNK) involved.
Main Results:
- Morphine administration led to increased albuminuria and podocyte foot process effacement in mice.
- Expression of synaptopodin and SDCM (nephrin, podocin, CD2AP) was significantly decreased in podocytes exposed to morphine, both in vivo and in vitro.
- Morphine-induced reduction in SDCM was mediated by opiate receptors (MOR, KOR), oxidative stress, and signaling pathways (AKT, p38, JNK).
Conclusions:
- Morphine compromises the integrity of the glomerular filtration barrier.
- Morphine alters podocyte structure and function by downregulating key slit diaphragm molecules.
- These effects are mediated through opiate receptors, oxidative stress, and specific intracellular signaling pathways, contributing to kidney damage.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Diabetic Nephropathy
Definition Diabetic nephropathy is a chronic kidney complication that results from prolonged hyperglycemia.Prevalence It is the most common cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide, affecting up to half of individuals with diabetes.Pathophysiology • Sustained hyperglycemia triggers multiple hemodynamic and metabolic changes in the kidney. • Early in the disease, increased renal blood flow and glomerular hyperfiltration occur due to afferent arteriolar...
01:24Nephrotic Syndrome I : Introduction
Nephrotic Syndrome is a chronic kidney disorder defined by clinical findings such as severe proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema. These symptoms result from damage to the glomeruli, the kidney’s filtering units, increasing their permeability to proteins.Definition and Meaning:Proteinuria, defined as the loss of more than 3.5 grams of protein per day in adults, is a crucial feature of nephrotic syndrome. This condition is often accompanied by edema, the accumulation of fluid...
01:20Opioid Analgesics: Morphine and Other Natural Cogeners
Opioids are a class of drugs that mimic endogenous opioid peptides and act on opioid receptors, and help in pain relief. These compounds are classified as natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic. Natural opioids, like morphine, codeine, and thebaine, are derived from the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum or Papaver album) and are termed opiates. Synthetic opioids are artificial, while semi-synthetic opioids combine natural and synthetic compounds. Morphine, a prototypical opioid, possesses a...
01:20Renal Corpuscle
The glomerulus and Bowman's capsule are two essential components of the nephron, which is the functional unit of the kidney. These microscopic structures play a critical role in the process of blood filtration to produce urine.
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
Glomerulus: Structure and Function
The glomerulus is a tiny, intricate network of capillaries located at the beginning of the nephron. It's enveloped by the Bowman's capsule and receives its blood supply from an afferent arteriole, which divides into numerous capillaries...
01:22Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Reabsorption
During the process of renal excretion, as the glomerular filtrate progresses to the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), drugs that are highly permeable, lipophilic, and nonionized undergo passive reabsorption from the tubular fluid into the surrounding peritubular capillaries. This reabsorption process restricts their elimination through the kidneys. However, the majority of drugs are either weak acids or weak bases, and their ionization level is dependent on pH. By altering the pH of urine, the...
01:15Drug Elimination by Renal Route: Tubular Secretion
Once the process of glomerular filtration is completed, blood carrying unfiltered drug molecules traverses through efferent arterioles and makes its way into the peritubular capillaries in the proximal tubule. A variety of carriers play a pivotal role in actively secreting drugs from these peritubular capillaries into the tubular fluid. The organic anion transporter transfers acidic drugs, against an electrochemical gradient, from the peritubular capillaries into the renal tubule cells and...