1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 decreases adriamycin-induced podocyte apoptosis and loss

Background: Selective proteinuria is frequently observed in glomerular diseases characterized by podocyte injury. Although, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3] has potential therapeutic effects on chronic kidney diseases through decreasing podocyte loss, the mechanism underlying the beneficial effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on podocytes remains still unknown. The present study tested the hypothesis that 1,25(OH)2D3 directly reduced podocyte apoptosis and loss. Methods: Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Adriamycin (ADR) group (n=15), ADR+1,25-(OH)2D3 group (n=16), and control group (n=16). Rats in ADR+1,25-(OH)2D3 group were treated with 1,25(OH)2D3 for 8 weeks. The number of podocytes and foot process width (FPW) were detected by transmission electron microscopy. The number of apoptotic podocytes per glomerulus and that of apoptotic nuclei and caspase-3 activity in cultured podocytes were determined by TUNEL staining. The average number of podocytes per glomerulus was quantified by immunohistochemistry. Expressions of p-Smad2/3, p-Smad1/5/8, Fas, Fas-Associated protein with Death Domain (FADD), Bax, and Bcl-2 proteins were examined by Western blot assay. Results: Compared with control group, proteinuria, FPW, apoptotic podocytes, caspase-3 activity, the protein expressions of p-Smad2/3, Fas, FADD, and Bax were significantly increased, podocyte density, p-Smad1/5/8 and Bcl-2 expression were decreased in ADR group. 1,25(OH)2D3 significantly reduced proteinuria, FPW, caspase-3 activity, expressions of p-Smad2/3, Fas, FADD, and Bax and apoptosis of podocytes, but increased serum albumin, number of viable podocytes , p-Smad1/5/8 and Bcl-2 expression in ADR treated rats. Conclusion: ADR-induced podocyte apoptosis was associated with the imbalance of p-Smad2/3, p-Smad1/5/8 the activity of caspase-3 and aberrant expressions of, Fas, FADD, Bax and Bcl-2. The beneficial effects of 1,25(OH)2D3 on podocytes may be attributable to inhibit podocyte apoptosis and the amelioration of podocytopenia.