Cyclophosphamide Inhibits PI3K/AKT/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Mice Kidneys

Abstract

Cyclophosphamide (CTX), also known as cytophosphane among other, is a medication used as chemotherapy and to suppress the immune system. The PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway is involved in the regulation of diverse cellular functions, including cell growth, protein synthesis, cell cycle regulation, glucose metabolism, and motility. In our study eight weeks old C57BL/6 female mice were divided into 3 groups as control (C), sham (S) and experimental group. The experimental group has been established with CTX treatment. No treatment was applied to the C group. The S group were given an equal amount of saline. CTX was administered intraperitoneally one every 2 days for 3 weeks; the first dose was 70 mg/kg, the ongoing doses were 30 mg/kg. At the end of 3 weeks mice were sacrificed and kidneys were taken for investigation. In order to show the effect of cyclophosphamide in kidney tissue, the tissues were stained via indirect immunohistochemistry with PI3K, AKT and mTOR primary antibodies. In our study, PI3K, AKT and mTOR expression levels were found to be significantly decreased in CTX-mediated mechanisms indicating that the mechanisms of CTX might involve in the inhibition of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.