MiR-34a/Sirt1/p53 signaling pathway contributes to cadmium-induced nephrotoxicity: A preclinical study in mice*

Cadmium (Cd), as an environmental pollutant, can lead to nephrotoxicity. However, its nephrotoxico-logical mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. In this study, Cd (1.5 mg/kg body weight, gavaged for 4 weeks) was found to induce the renal damage in mice, based on indicators including Cd concentration, kidney index, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines and their mRNA expressions, levels of Bcl-2, Bax and caspase9, and histopathological changes of the kidneys. Furthermore, Cd-caused detrimental changes through inducing inflammation and apoptosis via the miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 axis. This is the first report on the role of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 axis in regulating Cd-caused apoptosis and nephrotoxicity in mice. The findings obtained in this study provide new insights into miRNA-based regulation of heavy metal induced-nephrotoxicity. (c) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The study found that cadmium can induce renal damage in mice through inflammation and apoptosis via the miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 axis. This is the first report on the role of miR-34a/Sirt1/p53 axis in regulating cadmium-induced apoptosis and nephrotoxicity in mice, providing new insights into miRNA-based regulation of heavy metal induced-nephrotoxicity.