Anna Pezzotta

Dr. Anna Pezzotta


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

18Years (2009-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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21 October 2022 in Cells
Verified
Journal Article
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APAnna Pezzotta
Anna Pezzotta
LPLuca Perico
Luca Perico
MMMarina Morigi
Marina Morigi
DCDaniela Corna
Daniela Corna
MLMonica Locatelli
Monica Locatelli
BIBarbara Imberti
Barbara Imberti
A reduced nephron number at birth, due to critical gestational conditions, including maternal malnutrition, is associated with the risk of developing hypertension and chronic kidney disease in adulthood. No interventions are currently available to augment nephron number. We have recently shown that sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) has an important role in dictating proper nephron endowment. The present study explored whether SIRT3 stimulation, by means of supplementation with nicotinamide riboside (NR), a precursor of the SIRT3 co-substrate nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), was able to improve nephron number in a murine model of a low protein (LP) diet. Our findings show that reduced nephron number in newborn mice (day 1) born to mothers fed a LP diet was associated with impaired renal SIRT3 expression, which was restored through supplementation with NR. Glomerular podocyte density, as well as the rarefaction of renal capillaries, also improved through NR administration. In mechanistic terms, the restoration of SIRT3 expression through NR was mediated by the induction of proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator-1α (PGC-1α). Moreover, NR restored SIRT3 activity, as shown by the reduction of the acetylation of optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), which resulted in improved mitochondrial morphology and protection against oxidative damage in mice born to mothers fed the LP diet. Our results provide evidence that it is feasible to prevent nephron mass shortage at birth through SIRT3 boosting during nephrogenesis, thus providing a therapeutic option to possibly limit the long-term sequelae of reduced nephron number in adulthood.

1 January 2009 in NDT Plus
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
NMNaoki Morito
Naoki Morito
KYKeigyou Yoh
Keigyou Yoh
AFAkiko Fujita
Akiko Fujita
STSatoru Takahashi
Satoru Takahashi
KYKunihiro Yamagata
Kunihiro Yamagata
HCHung-Chun Chen
Hung-Chun Chen