Canagliflozin alleviates acetaminophen-induced renal and hepatic injury in mice by modulating the p-GSK3β/Fyn-kinase/Nrf-2 and p-AMPK-α/STAT-3/SOCS-3 pathways

Sci Rep. 2025 Jan 3;15(1):729. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-82163-7.

Abstract

Despite the fact that canagliflozin (Cana), a sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, is an anti-diabetic medication with additional effects on the kidney, there is limited experimental data to deliberate its hepato-reno-protective potentiality. Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose remains one of the prominent contributors to hepato-renal damage.

Aim: Our study assessed the novel effect of Cana against APAP-induced toxicities.

Main methods: mice were randomized into five groups: negative control, Cana25, APAP, Cana10 + APAP, and Cana25 + APAP. Cana was given for 5 days; a single dose of APAP was injected on the 6th day, followed by the scarification of animals 24 h later.

Key findings: Pre-treatment with Cana ameliorated hepatic and renal functions, whereas, on the molecular levels, Cana promoted hepatic/renal P-AMP-activated protein kinase-α/ protein kinase B (p-Akt)/Glycogen synthase kinase (p-GSK3β) protein expression. Alternatively, Cana dampened the expression of STAT-3 and Fyn-kinase genes with a subsequent increase in the contents of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS)-3 and also boosted the contents of the nuclear factor erythroid related factor 2 (Nrf-2)/heme oxygenase (HO)-1/ NADPH quinone oxidoreductase (NQO)-1 axis. The crosstalk between these paths ameliorated the APAP-induced hepatorenal structural alterations.

Significance: Cana hepatorenal protective impact was provoked partly through modulating p-AMPK-α /SOCS-3/STAT-3 and GSK3β/Fyn-kinase signaling for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.

Keywords: p-AMPK-α; Acetaminophen; Canagliflozin; Fyn-kinase; Hepatotoxicity; Nephrotoxicity.

MeSH terms

  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Acetaminophen* / adverse effects
  • Animals
  • Canagliflozin* / pharmacology
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / drug therapy
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury / metabolism
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta* / metabolism
  • Kidney / drug effects
  • Kidney / metabolism
  • Kidney / pathology
  • Liver / drug effects
  • Liver / metabolism
  • Liver / pathology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2* / metabolism
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn / metabolism
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor* / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction* / drug effects
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein* / genetics
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein* / metabolism

Substances

  • Acetaminophen
  • Canagliflozin
  • STAT3 Transcription Factor
  • Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein
  • Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta
  • NF-E2-Related Factor 2
  • Socs3 protein, mouse
  • Nfe2l2 protein, mouse
  • Stat3 protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fyn
  • AMP-Activated Protein Kinases