Oxidative Stress

Carboxymethylated

Food science & nutrition

Abstract

Cisplatin, a commonly used chemotherapy drug, inevitably causes damage to the liver and kidneys while exerting its anti-tumor effects. Carboxymethylated Poria cocos polysaccharides (CMP) have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and organ-protective properties, and also exhibit significant anti-tumor activity. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of CMP on cisplatin-induced hepatorenal damage in mice. The results showed that CMP treatment significantly mitigated abnormalities in hepatorenal function indicators and tissue damage induced by cisplatin. Furthermore, CMP significantly suppressed the increase in levels of inflammatory factors in peripheral and hepatorenal tissues, as well as the infiltration of immune cells induced by cisplatin. Additionally, CMP significantly enhanced the antioxidant capacity of hepatorenal tissues and inhibited oxidative damage caused by cisplatin. In vitro, CMP have also been shown to protect renal tubular epithelial cells and hepatocytes from cisplatin-induced damage. Mechanistically, our studies indicated that CMP activate Nrf2 through a phosphorylation pathway that is independent of Keap1 and reliant on PLC-PKC signaling. In conclusion, our findings suggest that CMP has the potential to serve as an adjunctive agent in cisplatin chemotherapy to protect the kidneys and liver from damage.

Key Findings

  • Carboxymethylated Poria cocos polysaccharides (CMP) significantly mitigate cisplatin-induced liver and kidney damage in mice.
  • CMP suppress inflammatory factor levels and immune cell infiltration caused by cisplatin in hepatorenal tissues.
  • CMP enhance antioxidant capacity and inhibit oxidative damage in hepatorenal tissues by activating Nrf2 via a PLC-PKC dependent phosphorylation pathway independent of Keap1.

Clinical Significance

CMP may serve as an effective adjunct therapy during cisplatin chemotherapy to protect against oxidative stress-induced liver and kidney damage, potentially improving patient outcomes and reducing chemotherapy-associated toxicity.

Citation

He Liang, Chen Shuo, Wu Baominget al.. Carboxymethylated Food science & nutrition. 2026-Sep.

DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.72342