Glucagon receptor activation contributes to the development of kidney injury.
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol
; 327(5): F712-F724, 2024 Nov 01.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-39265079
ABSTRACT
The underlying causes of diabetic kidney disease are still largely unknown. New insights into the contributing causes of diabetic nephropathy are important to prevent this complication. Hyperglycemia and hypertension are some of the risk factors for diabetic nephropathy. However, the incidence of diabetic nephropathy is increasing despite efforts to normalize blood glucose levels and blood pressure. Therefore, other factors should be investigated as causes of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated whether long-term increased plasma levels of glucagon contribute to the development of pathophysiological changes in kidney function as seen in patients with diabetic nephropathy. Using mouse models of chronic activation and inactivation of glucagon receptor signaling, we investigated whether glucagon is involved in changes in renal function, renal structure, and transcriptional changes. We found several histopathological changes in the kidney, such as thickening of the parietal layer of Bowman's capsule, glomerular mesangial cell expansion, and significant albuminuria in the mice with activated glucagon receptor signaling. Opposite effects on mesangial area expansion and the development of albuminuria were demonstrated in mice with glucagon receptor inactivation. RNA sequencing data revealed that transcription of genes related to fatty acid metabolism, podocytes, Na+-K+-ATPase, and sodium/glucose transport was significantly changed in mice with activated glucagon receptor signaling. These data implicate that glucagon receptor signaling is involved in the development of kidney injury, as seen in type 2 diabetes, and that glucagon receptor is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetes. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study suggests that the glucagon receptor is a potential therapeutic target in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease. We show, in mice, that long-term treatment with a glucagon analog showed not only pathophysiological changes and changes in renal function but also transcriptional changes in the kidneys, whereas opposite effects were demonstrated in mice with glucagon receptor inactivation. Therefore, the use of glucagon in a treatment regimen requires investigation of possible metabolic and renal abnormalities.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Glucagón
/
Transducción de Señal
/
Receptores de Glucagón
/
Nefropatías Diabéticas
/
Riñón
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Physiol Renal Physiol
Asunto de la revista:
FISIOLOGIA
/
NEFROLOGIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Dinamarca