ALBERT

Description: AICAR (Acadesine/AICA riboside) as an activator of AMPK, can protect renal tubular cells from cisplatin induced apoptosis. But in our experiment, the dorsomorphin (compound C, an inhibitor of AMPK) also significantly reduced cisplatin induced renal tubular cells apoptosis. Accordingly, we tested whether compound C can protect cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and the specific mechanism. Here, we treated Boston University mouse proximal tubular cells (BUMPT-306) with cisplatin and/or different dosages of AICAR (Acadesine/AICA riboside) or compound C to confirm the effect of AICAR and compound C in vitro. The AMPK-siRNA treated cells to evaluate whether the protective effect of compound C was through inhibiting AMPK. Male C57BL/6 mice were used to verify the effect of compound C in vivo. Both compound C and AICAR can reduce renal tubular cells apoptosis in dose-dependent manners, and compound C decreased serum creatinine and renal tubular injury induced by cisplatin. Mechanistically, compound C inhibited P53, CHOP and p-IREα during cisplatin treatment. Our results demonstrated that compound C inhibited AMPK, but the renal protective effects of compound C were not through AMPK. Instead, compound C protected cisplatin nephrotoxicity by inhibiting P53 and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. Therefore, compound C may protect against cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity through pleiotropic effects.

Description: Energy poverty due to rising energy demand is a matter of global concern. Therefore, examination of the causes of energy poverty and development of effective solutions are urgent concerns. Using survey data on livelihood development in Tibetan farming and pastoral areas in 2019, this study applied logistic and ordinary least squares models to empirically investigate the factors that influence energy poverty in Tibet. We found that energy poverty is (1) unrelated to age, gender, education, marital status, political and village cadre experience, planting, or expenditures related to religious activities; (2) negatively correlated with migrant work, village status, household income, and traffic conditions; (3) positively correlated with employment, area, and breeding; and (4) both positively and negatively affected by family residence altitude. The results offer new insights and empirical evidence for the identification and elimination of energy poverty, improving livelihoods, and promoting rural revitalisation in Tibet.