Polylactic acid nanoparticles loaded with losartan potassium regulate the expression of ET-1 in acute kidney injury

Abstract

This study explored specific mechanism of action for polylactic acid-loaded nanoparticles loaded with losartan potassium to regulate the expression of ET-1 in acute kidney injury. Preparation and identification of Polylactic acid nanoparticles (PLA-NP) loaded with losartan potassium (PLA-NP-LP) were herein performed. After establishment of acute kidney injury rat models, the rats were assigned into model group, PLA-NP group, losartan potassium group, PLA-NP-LP group, NF-kB agonist group, NF-kB inhibitor group, NF-kB agonist and inhibitor group respectively. After one week of intervention, rat kidney tissues were taken for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining and Real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Western blot were used to measure the levels of NF-kB and ET-1, along with analysis of levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen by an automatic biochemical analyzer. PLA-NP-LP nanoparticles was successfully prepared with good shape. The levels of creatinine and urea nitrogen, renal tubular dilation and epithelial edema in the PLA-NP-LP group were lowest (vs. model group and losartan Potassium group), with P < 0.05. PLA-NP-LP inhibited the expression of ET-1 and NF-kB, P < 0.05. The ET-1 expression level for rats in the NF-kB agonist combined with PLA-NP-LP group was higher (vs. PLA-NP-LP group). Moreover, the level of ET-1 decreased (P < 0.05). PLA-NP-LP can improve renal function of rats with acute kidney injury, reduce renal tubular epithelial edema, and downregulate ET-1 in the rat kidney, by inhibiting the expression of NF-kB.