Table 5 A list of commonly used parameters for nephrotoxicity testing
From: Precision nephrotoxicity testing using 3D in vitro models
Assessment | Measurements |
|---|---|
Cell viability assays | Degree of cell death or damage in response to a drug or other compound, which can indicate potential NT assessed CCK-8, MTT and live/death kits |
Biomarker analysis | Expression of biomarkers associated with kidney function (e.g., albumin, nephrin) for the effects of a drug or compound on kidney cells |
Histological analysis | 3D kidney tissue constructs under a microscope can reveal structural changes indicative of kidney damage |
OCR/ECAR | Metabolic parameters can provide information on cellular respiration and glycolysis, which can be affected by nephrotoxic compounds, seahorse analysis |
ROS | ROS levels can provide insight into this aspect of nephrotoxicity |
Inflammatory markers | Cytokines genes and proteins: TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, HMGB1, CRP, PGE2 and NO, assessed by q-PCR and western-blot |
Kidney-specific protein markers | Expression of proteins: e.g., aquaporins (AOP1, AQP3), transporters (i.e., OAT1, OAT3, OCT2, MRP2, BCRP, SGLT2) |
Mitotoxicity | MMP, ATP production, complexes I-V expression and activity, mitochondrial morphology, mtDNA content and OCR/ECAR |