Antidiabetic nephropathy effects of synthesized gold nanoparticles through mitigation of oxidative stress

Human proximal renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2) are constantly exposed to glyco-oxidative injury due to the diabetic nephropathy. It has been reported that nanoparticles (NPs) due to their unique properties may show outstanding antioxidant activity. The influences of high glucose (HG) treatment with a concentration of 50 mM on HK-2 cells toxicity and the protective effects of synthesized gold NPs (AuNPs) by hydrothermal method were explored in terms of free radical production and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation. Also, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 at both mRNA and protein levels was evaluated by qPCR and ELISA assays, respectively followed by SIRT3 and SOD2 activity assays. It was observed that AuNPs with a diameter of about 30 nm and good colloidal stability at physiological pH attenuates HG‐induced cytotoxicity in HK-2 cells through a significant increase in cell viability and the reduction of free radical production, AGEs formation, and expression of Bax/Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 at both mRNA and protein levels. However, 3-TYP, a SIRT3 inhibitor, significantly inhibited the inhibitory effects of AuNPs on HG‐induced cytotoxicity. This data revealed that HG concentrations induced glyco-oxidative stress in kidney cells and AuNPs could be used as promising candidates in reducing the risk of progression of diabetic nephropathy.