Alterations of proteomic profiling revealed the molecular mechanisms of aristolochic acids toxicity

Aristolochic acids (AAs), nephrotoxic components of herbs, has been previously demonstrated causing DNA damage by forming DNA-AAs adducts. However, the alterations of kidney proteome profiles underlying AAs nephrotoxicity remain elusive. In the present study, the proteomics analysis of the kidney and liver tissues from I/R rats after AAs treatment was performed by a shotgun proteomic approach coupled with LC-MS/MS technology. A total of 2061 and 2405 proteins were identified and quantified in kidney and liver, respectively. 112 and 95 proteins were significantly dysregulated in kidney and liver in comparison between AAs verse I/R. Based on the relative proteome quantification results, six differentially expressed proteins were selected as the candidate biomarkers of AAN.