Protective effects of leukemia inhibitory factor against oxidative stress during high glucose-induced apoptosis in podocytes

• DOI: 10.1007/s12192-012-0325-7
• Publication Date: 2012-01-21T00:18:40Z
• Authors: Jing Xu; Zhigui Li; Pengjuan Xu; Zhuo Yang
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Caspase 3; Cell Survival; Podocytes; Apoptosis; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Flow Cytometry; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor; 3. Good health; Mice; Oxidative Stress; 03 medical and health sciences; Glucose; Animals; Reactive Oxygen Species

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic glycoprotein belonging to the interleukin-6 family of cytokines. In kidney, LIF regulates nephrogenesis, involves in tubular regeneration, responds to pro- and anti-inflammatory stimuli, and so on. LIF also plays an essential role in protective mechanisms triggered by preconditioning-induced oxidative stress. Although LIF shows a wide range of biologic activities, effects of LIF on high glucose-induced oxidative stress in podocytes remain unclear. The aim of the study was to assess whether LIF can attenuate high glucose-induced apoptosis in podocytes. The result of 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay indicated that LIF protected podocytes against high glucose-induced cytotoxicity. The flow cytometry assay showed that LIF attenuated high glucose-induced apoptosis in podocytes. Meanwhile, the result of flow cytometric assay gave the clear indication that LIF decreased high glucose-induced elevated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The measurement of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and caspase-3 activity levels showed that LIF attenuated the high glucose-induced decreased level of SOD and elevated level of NADPH oxidase, MDA and caspase-3 activity. These results may provide potential therapy for diabetic nephropathy in the future.