3,3'‑Diindolylmethane mitigates lipopolysaccharide‑induced acute kidney injury in mice by inhibiting NOX‑mediated oxidative stress and the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells

Mol Med Rep. 2019 Jun;19(6):5115-5122. doi: 10.3892/mmr.2019.10178. Epub 2019 Apr 22.

Abstract

3,3'‑Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a naturally derived indole compound found in the Brassica family of vegetables. DIM has several beneficial effects, including anti‑cancer, anti‑inflammatory and anti‑angiogenic functions. However, the effects of DIM on acute kidney injury (AKI) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) are poorly studied. In this present study, male BALB/c mouse models of AKI were established using intraperitoneal injections of 10 mg/kg LPS. DIM (40 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally 24 and 2 h before LPS exposure. The results indicated that DIM significantly mitigated histopathological changes in the kidneys and improved the levels of blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. DIM also suppressed the LPS‑induced production of reactive oxygen species and cell apoptosis. Furthermore, DIM treatment significantly decreased the expression of NADPH oxidase 2 (NOX2) and NOX4 in LPS‑treated mice. Therefore, DIM may exert its renoprotective actions by inhibiting NOX‑mediated oxidative stress and the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells.

MeSH terms

  • Acute Kidney Injury / etiology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / pathology
  • Acute Kidney Injury / prevention & control*
  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / drug effects*
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Creatinine / blood
  • Down-Regulation / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology
  • Epithelial Cells / drug effects
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Glutathione / metabolism
  • Indoles / pharmacology*
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Kidney Tubules / cytology
  • Lipopolysaccharides / toxicity*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • NADPH Oxidases / genetics
  • NADPH Oxidases / metabolism*
  • Oxidative Stress / drug effects*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism

Substances

  • Indoles
  • Lipopolysaccharides
  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Creatinine
  • NADPH Oxidases
  • Glutathione
  • 3,3'-diindolylmethane