Emodin Attenuated the Kidney Damage of High-Fat-Diet Mice via the Upregulation of Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor

OBJECTIVE: Secretion of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and its effect on target organs were impaired in individuals with obesity. However, its mechanism needs to be further studied. We aim to explore the roles of the receptor of GLP-1 (GLP-1R) involved in high-fat-diet- (HFD-) induced kidney damage improved by emodin. METHODS: Male C57bl/6 mice were fed with HFD diet and therapied by emodin. NRK-52E cells were cultured and treated with palmitic acid or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Emodin was used to remedy the NRK-52E cell damage. GW9662 was administrated to block the function of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ). GLP-1 in the plasma was measured by ELISA. PPAR-γ and GLP-1R in the kidney and NRK-52E cells were detected by western blotting. The interaction between PPAR-γ protein and GLP-1R promoter regions was observed by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP). RESULTS: Postprandial GLP-1 levels in plasma, as well as PPAR-γ and GLP-1R, decreased in kidney tissue of HFD mice, while they were reserved by emodin treatment. Although PPAR-γ and GLP-1R were not downregulated by LDL-C, they were suppressed by palmitic acid. Interestingly, GLP-1R mRNA was detected by PCR in the mixture pulled down with PPAR-γ antibody. Additionally, downregulation of PPAR-γ and GLP-1R by palmitic acid was remanded by emodin. Moreover, GW9662, an inhibitor of PPAR-γ, abolished the protective effect of emodin. CONCLUSION: The kidney damage of HFD mice seems to be alleviated by emodin via the upregulation of GLP-1R in kidney tissue.