AST-120, an Oral Carbon Absorbent, Protects against the Progression of Atherosclerosis in a Mouse Chronic Renal Failure Model by Preserving sFlt-1 Expression Levels

Sci Rep. 2019 Oct 30;9(1):15571. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-51292-9.

Abstract

Soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), an endogenous antagonist of the proatherogenic cytokine placental growth factor, is decreased in chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to atherosclerotic progression. In this study, we investigated the effect of AST-120, an oral carbon adsorbent which can remove uremic toxins, on sFlt-1 expression levels and atherosclerosis progression. Atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice underwent a 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6 NR) or a sham operation (sham) at 8 weeks of age and were then treated or not with oral AST-120 for 12 weeks. sFlt-1 expression levels and the degree of atherosclerosis were assessed at 22 weeks of age in each of the four groups (sham; n = 7, 5/6 NR; n = 10, sham + AST-120: n = 8, 5/6 NR + AST-120; n = 8). The expression levels of sFlt-1 mRNA in the kidney were significantly lower in the 5/6 NR group than in the sham group, but AST-120 treatment prevented this decrease in sFlt-1 levels. Similarly, the atherosclerotic plaque area of the thoracoabdominal aorta was significantly larger in the 5/6 NR group than in the sham group, and AST-120 treatment prevented this increase in atherosclerosis. AST-120 could, therefore, be used as a therapeutic to treat atherosclerosis in patients with CKD.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Animals
  • Atherosclerosis / complications
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics*
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology*
  • Carbon / administration & dosage
  • Carbon / pharmacology*
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation / drug effects*
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / drug effects
  • Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Kidney Failure, Chronic / complications*
  • Mice
  • Oxides / administration & dosage
  • Oxides / pharmacology*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • Solubility
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / chemistry
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 / genetics*

Substances

  • Oxides
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Carbon
  • AST 120
  • Flt1 protein, mouse
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1