| Abstrakt: |
Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the alterations and potential implications of the Osteoprotegerin (OPG)/Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B Ligand (RANKL)/Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor-kappa B (RANK) signaling pathway factors in a murine model of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI). This research aimed to offer novel insights into the mechanistic exploration of SA-AKI. Methods: The SAAKI model group (CLP group) was established through cecal ligation and puncture surgery (CLP), while the control group consisted of sham-operated animals (Sham group) subjected only to laparotomy without cecal ligation and puncture. Blood samples were collected 24 h post-surgery, and murine kidney tissues were harvested upon euthanasia. Serum levels of Serum Creatinine (Scr) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were quantified using assay kits. Furthermore, serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) were assessed through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Renal tissue pathological alterations were examined employing hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE), and the mRNA and protein levels of OPG, RANKL, and RANK in murine kidney tissues were determined via reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. Results: Comparative analysis revealed that, in comparison to the Sham group, the CLP group demonstrated a significant elevation in the levels of Scr, BUN, IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, with statistically significant disparities (all P<0.05). Histopathological examination of the CLP group's kidneys unveiled glomerular congestion, edema, partial ischemic wrinkling, enlargement of interstitial spaces, the presence of necrotic epithelial cells in select renal tubules, tubular luminal dilation, varying degrees of interstitial edema, and infiltration by a limited number of inflammatory cells. In parallel, relative to the Sham group, the CLP group exhibited substantial upregulation in mRNA expression of OPG and RANK in renal tissues, while RANKL mRNA expression experienced marked downregulation, with statistically significant distinctions (all P<0.05). Moreover, in comparison with the Sham group, the CLP group demonstrated an elevation in protein expression of OPG and RANK in kidney tissues, whereas RANKL protein expression displayed significant downregulation, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusion: In a murine sepsis model, augmented expression of OPG and RANK, coupled with diminished RANKL expression, suggests the potential involvement of the OPG/RANKL/RANK signaling pathway in the pathophysiological progression of SA-AKI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
