Antiinflammatory and antifibrogenic effects of s‐ethyl cysteine and s‐methyl cysteine in the kidney of diabetic mice

Abstract

Protective effects of s-ethyl cysteine (SEC) and s-methyl cysteine (SMC) in kidney of diabetic mice were examined. SEC and SMC at 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 g/L were added to the drinking water for 6 wk. Results showed that the intake of SEC or SMC alleviated body weight loss and urine output, as well as markedly decreased plasma blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine clearance (CCr) in diabetic mice (P < 0.05). The intake of SEC caused significantly dose-dependent increase in insulin and decrease in blood glucose, urinary albumin and type IV collagen (P < 0.05). SEC and SMC intake significantly and dose-dependently decreased malondialdehyde level and increased glutathione content in kidney (P < 0.05). The intake of these agents also increased renal GPx activity (P < 0.05), but there was no dose-dependent effect. SEC treatments dose-dependently decreased IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels, increased IL-4 and IL-10 levels, as well as upregulated IL-10 mRNA expression (P < 0.05). SMC treatments significantly suppressed renal IL-6 and TNF-alpha levels (P < 0.05), but did not affect IL-4 and IL-10 levels (P < 0.05). SEC or SMC intake significantly suppressed renal TGF-beta1 level and renal PKC activity (P < 0.05); however, only SEC treatments showed dose-dependent effect. SEC and SMC treatments significantly down-regulated mRNA expression of renal TGF-beta1 (P < 0.05), only SEC treatments had dose-dependent effects. Based on the observed antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and antifibrogenic effects, the supplement of SEC or SMC might be helpful for the prevention or treatment of diabetic kidney diseases.

Antiglycative and anti‐VEGF effects of s‐ethyl cysteine and s‐propyl cysteine in kidney of diabetic mice

“…However, the study of Melhem et al [26] and our present study revealed that ascorbic acid was not an effective agent against diabetic renal glycative injury. Our previous study has indicated that the dietary intake of SEC and SPC in diabetic mice alleviated BW loss and urine output, decreased plasma BUN and CCr, suppressed renal protein kinase C Data are mean l SD, n = 15; p a 0.05. activity, and renal TGF-beta1 mRNA expression [13,14]. Therefore, we concluded that SEC and SPC, cysteine-containing compounds naturally derived from Allium plants, were potent agents for attenuating diabetic renal injury.…”

“…It is known that renal VEGF could be regulated by oxidative stress, AGEs, cytokines, and TGF-beta1 [6,33]. Our previous study already indicated that SEC could markedly improve renal oxidative stress and blunt renal TGF-beta1 expression [14].…”

“…Our past diabetic animal study observed that the supplementation of SEC and SPC effectively decreased blood glucose, increased insulin, improved haemostatic balance, and attenuated oxidative and inflammatory stress in diabetic mice [13]. Furthermore, our another animal study found that SEC intake dose-dependently decreased urinary albumin (UA) and renal type IV collagen, diminished protein kinase activity and downregulated mRNA expression of renal transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 [14]. Thus, our previous studies already supported that SEC and SPC might be helpful for the prevention or treatment of diabetic kidney diseases.…”

Polysaccharides from Liriopes Radix ameliorate streptozotocin-induced type I diabetic nephropathy via regulating NF-κB and p38 MAPK signaling pathways

“…Renal tissue was homogenized in 10 mmol/L Tris–HCl buffered solution (pH 7.4) containing 2 mol/l NaCl, 1 mmol/l EDTA, 0.01% Tween 80, 1 mmol/l PMSF, and centrifuged at 9000 × g for 30 min at 4°C [14]. The resultant supernatant was used for cytokine determination.…”

Biological activities of Zn(II)-S-methyl-cysteine complex as antiradical, inhibitor of acid phosphatase enzyme and in vivo antidepressant effects

“…The deficiency of this essential element increases the osmotic fragility of erythrocyte membranes and the levels of lipid peroxidation in mitochondrial and microsomal membranes, while the presence of zinc prevents lipid peroxidation 5 . In addition, the antioxidant activity of the amino acid Smethyl-L-cysteine has been reported 10 . It prevents the oxidation of species from lipid hydroperoxide (LOOH) during formation of the human low-density lipoprotein (LDL) 11 .…”