Hydrogen Sulfide and Carnosine: Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Kidney and Brain Axis

Authors

Vittorio Calabrese, University of CataniaFollow
maria Scuto, University of CataniaFollow
Angela Trovato Salinao, University of CataniaFollow
Giuseppe Dionisio, Aarhus UniversityFollow
Sergio Modafferi, University of CataniaFollow
Maria Laura Ontario, University of CataniaFollow
Valentina Greco, University of CataniaFollow
Sebastiano Sciuto, University of CataniaFollow
Claus Peter Schmitt, University of HeidelbergFollow
Edward Calabrese Ph.D., University of Massachusetts - AmherstFollow
Verena Peters, University of HeidelbergFollow

Publication Date

2020

Journal or Book Title

Antioxidants

Abstract

Emerging evidence indicates that the dysregulation of cellular redox homeostasis and chronic inflammatory processes are implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney and brain disorders. In this light, endogenous dipeptide carnosine (β-alanyl-L-histidine) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) exert cytoprotective actions through the modulation of redox-dependent resilience pathways during oxidative stress and inflammation. Several recent studies have elucidated a functional crosstalk occurring between kidney and the brain. The pathophysiological link of this crosstalk is represented by oxidative stress and inflammatory processes which contribute to the high prevalence of neuropsychiatric disorders, cognitive impairment, and dementia during the natural history of chronic kidney disease. Herein, we provide an overview of the main pathophysiological mechanisms related to high levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and neurotoxins, which play a critical role in the kidney–brain crosstalk. The present paper also explores the respective role of H₂S and carnosine in the modulation of oxidative stress and inflammation in the kidney–brain axis. It suggests that these activities are likely mediated, at least in part, via hormetic processes, involving Nrf2 (Nuclear factor-like 2), Hsp 70 (heat shock protein 70), SIRT-1 (Sirtuin-1), Trx (Thioredoxin), and the glutathione system. Metabolic interactions at the kidney and brain axis level operate in controlling and reducing oxidant-induced inflammatory damage and therefore, can be a promising potential therapeutic target to reduce the severity of renal and brain injuries in humans.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9121303

Volume

9

Issue

12

License

UMass Amherst Open Access Policy

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Calabrese, Vittorio; Scuto, maria; Salinao, Angela Trovato; Dionisio, Giuseppe; Modafferi, Sergio; Ontario, Maria Laura; Greco, Valentina; Sciuto, Sebastiano; Schmitt, Claus Peter; Calabrese, Edward Ph.D.; and Peters, Verena, "Hydrogen Sulfide and Carnosine: Modulation of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Kidney and Brain Axis" (2020). Antioxidants. 21.
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9121303