Norepinephrine alleviates cyclosporin A-induced nephrotoxicity by enhancing the expression of SFRP1

Norepinephrine (NE) has a certain effect on the improvement of renal function. However, whether NE can alleviate cyclosporin A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity needs further study. The effect of CsA (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 μM) on the human renal epithelial cell vitality, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, apoptosis, and secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) level was examined by cell counting kit-8, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, flow cytometer, and western blot. The effect of NE on the LDH activity, apoptosis, and SFRP1 level of human renal epithelial cells induced by CsA was examined again. After silencing of SFRP1 in human renal epithelial cells, the SFRP1 level, cell vitality, and apoptosis were examined again. CsA (1.25, 2.5, 5, and 10 μM) attenuated the cell vitality and SFRP1 level but enhanced the LDH activity and apoptosis in human renal epithelial cells, while the above effects were reversed by NE. Moreover, SFRP1 silencing reversed the regulation of NE on the SFRP1 level, cell vitality, and apoptosis in human renal epithelial cells induced by CsA. In conclusion, NE relieved CsA-induced nephrotoxicity via enhancing the expression of SFRP1. Graphical abstract