Influence of alpha-lipoic acid on apoptosis of mouse podocytes cultured in high-level glucose and homocysteine

Objective To observe the influences of alpha-lipoic acid on apoptosis of mouse podocytes cultured in high glucose (Hg) and high homocysteine (Hcy) levels, and on expression of Nephrin mRNA in mouse podocytes. Methods The podocytes were cultured in high-level glucose (25 mmol/L), high-level Hcy (1 mmol/L) and alphalipoic acid (0.5 mmol/L) before they were collected respectively at 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and mRNA expression of Nephrin was examined by RT-PCR. Results No obvious apoptosis was observed at 24 hours in the Hg, Hcy and mixed groups (P0.05). At 48 hours obvious cell apoptosis was observed in the Hg, Hcy and mixed groups compared with the normal control group (P0.05) and the apoptosis rate in the mixed group was significantly higher than in other groups (P0.01). At 72 hours the apoptosis in each group was significantly increased than at 48 hours (P0.01). Alpha-lipoic acid had an agonistic effect in a time-dependent manner on the apoptosis of podocytes induced by Hg and Hcy (all P0.05). The expression of Nephrin mRNA was decreased in mouse podocytes cultured in Hg and Hcy also in a time-dependent manner, but alpha-lipoic acid had an agonistic effect on the trend. Conclusion Alpha-lipoic acid can attenuate the effect of high glucose and high Hcy on the apoptosis of podocytes, and can also counter the down-expression of Nephrin mRNA in mouse podocytes induced by high glucose and high Hcy.