Tempol (4-hydroxy tempo) protects mice from cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury via modulation of expression of aquaporins and kidney injury molecule-1

Abstract

Tempol (4-hydroxy tempo), a pleiotropic antioxidant is reported to afford protection against cisplatin (CP)-induced nephrotoxicity. However, molecular mechanisms of action of tempol in improving the renal function in CP-induced nephrotoxicity are not fully understood. We investigated the attenuating effect of tempol against CP-induced alterations in kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) and aquaporins (AQPs) in mice. Tempol (100 mg/kg, po) pretreatment with CP (20 mg/kg ip) showed restoration in renal function markers including electrolytes. CP treatment upregulated mRNA expression of KIM-1 and downregulated AQP and arginine vasopressin (AVP) expression which was attenuated by tempol. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that CP-induced alterations in KIM-1 and AQP expression were restored by tempol. Immunofluorocense study also showed restorative effect of tempol on the expression of AQP2 in CP-treated mice. In conclusion, this study provides experimental evidence that tempol resolved urinary concentration defect by the restoration of AQP, AVP and KIM-1 levels indicating a potential use of tempol in ameliorating the AKI in cancer patients under the treatment with CP.

Keywords:

• Anti-neoplastic drug
• acute kidney injury
• electrolyte imbalance
• nephric reabsorption
• nephroprotection

Author contributions

MAA and SR designed and executed the experiments. MAA, PG and MS contributed to experiments related to western blotting and immunofluorescence. SA, SD, JA and AM contributed to analysis of biochemical data. All the authors made contribution to the final draft of the manuscript and approved for its publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The present research was financially supported by a Senior Research Fellowship of UGC-BSR [Grant No. F. 25–1/2013–14(BSR)/7–91/2007(BSR)] to MAA.