Evogliptin, a Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor, Attenuates Renal Fibrosis Caused by Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction in Mice

• Published in: Diabetes & metabolism journal Vol. 44; no. 1; pp. 186 - 192
• Main Authors: Kim, Mi Jin, Kim, Na Young, Jung, Yun A, Lee, Seunghyeong, Jung, Gwon Soo, Kim, Jung Guk, Lee, In Kyu, Lee, Sungwoo, Choi, Yeon Kyung, Park, Keun Gyu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Diabetes Association 01.02.2020; 대한당뇨병학회
• Subjects: Brief Report; dipeptidyl-peptidase iv inhibitors; kidney failure, chronic; transforming growth factor beta; 내과학; Transforming growth factor beta; Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV inhibitors; Kidney failure, chronic
• ISSN: 2233-6079; 2233-6087
• DOI: 10.4093/dmj.2018.0271

Renal fibrosis is considered to be the final common outcome of chronic kidney disease. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors have demonstrated protective effects against diabetic kidney disease. However, the anti-fibrotic effect of evogliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor, has not been studied. Here, we report the beneficial effects of evogliptin on unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis in mice. Evogliptin attenuated UUO-induced renal atrophy and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting demonstrated that evogliptin treatment inhibits pro-fibrotic gene expressions and extracellular matrix production. findings showed that the beneficial effects of evogliptin on renal fibrosis are mediated by inhibition of the transforming growth factor-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. The present study demonstrates that evogliptin is protective against UUO-induced renal fibrosis, suggesting that its clinical applications could extend to the treatment of kidney disease of non-diabetic origin.