metallothionein and cepharanthine

Cisplatin (CDDP) is a potent anticancer agent, but severe renal toxicity can limit its use. We investigated the protective effect of cepharanthin (CE), a biscoclaurin alkaloid, on the renal toxicity of CDDP.. Mice were given CDDP along with CE. Effects of CE on CDDP toxicity were investigated by assaying markers of renal toxicity together with MT expression, and by histopathological examination of the kidney. MT-null mice were also examined.. CE induced expression of metallothionein (MT). Pre-administration of CE attenuated an increase in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations after the CDDP injection. A histochemical analysis demonstrated protection against CDDP-induced necrocytosis of kidney tissues by CE. The protective effect of CE did not occur in the MT-null mice.. Pretreatment with CE may reduce the renal toxicity of CDDP through expression of MT.

Topics: Animals; Antineoplastic Agents; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; Benzylisoquinolines; Cell Line; Chlorocebus aethiops; Cisplatin; COS Cells; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Male; Metallothionein; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; RNA, Messenger; Up-Regulation