Intestinal Trefoil Factor 3: a new biological factor mediating gut-kidney crosstalk in diabetic kidney disease

Tao Zhang1, Yinghui Zhang1, Jie Tao1

  • 1Guangdong Metabolic Diseases Research Center of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Key Laboratory of Glucolipid Metabolic Disorder, Ministry of Education; Guangdong TCM Key Laboratory for Metabolic Diseases, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.

Endocrine
|December 26, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Trefoil Factor 3 (TFF3) expression decreases in the kidneys during diabetic kidney disease (DKD) progression. TFF3 may protect the kidneys via gut-kidney communication, mitigating high glucose damage.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Diabetic Kidney Disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes.
  • Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying DKD pathogenesis is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of Trefoil Factor 3 (TFF3) in DKD pathogenesis.
  • To analyze the dynamic changes in TFF3 expression during renal injury in DKD.

Main Methods:

  • A diabetic kidney disease (DKD) mouse model was established using streptozotocin (STZ) and a high-fat diet (HFD).
  • Animals were analyzed at different time points (4, 8, and 12 weeks) to assess disease progression.
  • TFF3 expression levels were measured in kidney and colon tissues.

Main Results:

  • The DKD model exhibited hyperglycemia, impaired glucose tolerance, and progressive renal injury with extracellular matrix accumulation.
  • TFF3 expression was significantly decreased in kidney tissues over time.
  • Conversely, TFF3 expression increased in colon tissues of DKD mice.

Conclusions:

  • TFF3 is expressed in both the colon and renal medulla/cortex.
  • TFF3 may play a protective role in renal mucosal repair through gut-kidney crosstalk.
  • TFF3 could mitigate kidney damage caused by a high-glucose environment in DKD.