Absence of Sirt3 aggravates cisplatin nephrotoxicity via enhanced renal tubular apoptosis and inflammation

Cisplatin-based chemotherapy is commonly used in the treatment of solid tumors; however, this agent is limited by its adverse effects on normal tissues, including the kidneys, ears and peripheral nerves. Mechanisms of cisplatin nephrotoxicity are proposed to involve oxidative stress, inflammation, cellular apoptosis and cell cycle regulation. Sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) is a member of the sirtuin family of NAD(+)-dependent enzymes with homology to Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene silent information regulator 2. Sirt3 is located in mitochondria and is involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism and function; however, the role of Sirt3 in cisplatin nephrotoxicity remains unclear. In the present study, whether Sirt3 has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects on cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity was investigated in mice. Sirt3 knockout mice (Sirt3((−/−))) and corresponding wild type mice were employed in the present study. Cisplatin nephrotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneal injection of cisplatin (20 mg/kg). After 3 days following cisplatin treatment, blood and kidney tissues were harvested. Renal function and histology were evaluated. Tubular apoptosis, cell adhesion molecule expression, and inflammatory cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis. Following the induction of cisplatin nephrotoxicity, renal function was significantly aggravated in Sirt3 knockout (KO) mice. Tubular injury and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly increased in Sirt3KO mice compared with wild type mice. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end label-positive tubular cells and renal monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression levels were increased in Sirt3KO mice compared with in wild type mice. In summary, the absence of Sirt3 aggravated in renal injury by increasing renal inflammation and tubular apoptosis. The results of the present study suggested that Sirt3 may have an important role in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity.