title: AS-IV protects against kidney IRI through inhibition of NF-κB activity and PUMA upregulation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine and explore the effect of Astragalus saponin IV (AS-IV) on ischemia/reperfusion (IR)-induced renal injury and its mechanisms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experimental model of renal I/R was induced in rats by bilateral renal artery clamp for 45 min followed by reperfusion of 6 h. Rats were divided into three groups: ① sham ② IRI ③ IRI/AS-IV. In IRI/AS-IV groups, AS-IV was orally administered once a day to rats at 2 mg·kg(-1)·d(-1) for 7 days prior to ischemia. At 6 h after reperfusion, the inflammatory cytokines and renal function was assessed and NF-κB activity and PUMA expression was detected. Apoptotic cells was detected by TUNEL assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AS-IV significantly decreased serum and tissue levels of IL-6 and TNF-α, and reduced apoptotic cell counts and histological damage. AS-IV down-regulated the phosphorylation of p65 subunit of NF-κB (NF-κB p65) and PUMA expression, and the NF-κB activity compared to the I/R groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AS-IV provided protection against IRI-induced renal injury by reducing apoptosis and inflammation through inhibition of NF-κB activity and PUMA expression. AS-IV pre-treatment ameliorated tubular damage and suppressed the NF-κB p65 expression.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Qingdao, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xin
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, People's Hospital of Rizhao Rizhao, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, People's Hospital of Rizhao Rizhao, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Hongxiu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia, Qingdao Municipal Hospital Qingdao, Shandong, China.
authors.forename: Dengbin
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ai
keywords: Kidney; NF-κB; apoptosis; astragaloside IV (AS-IV); inflammatory genes; ischemia reperfusion injury (IRI); p53 upregulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA)