Novel hydrogen sulfide-releasing compound, S-propargyl-cysteine, prevents STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Xin Qian
Ruowen Ge
Yizhun Zhu
Xinghui Li
Fenfen Ma
Shanshan Luo
Journal: Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications (2016)
Discipline: BIOLOGY & BIOCHEMISTRY
Keywords: Albuminuria; Diabetic nephropathy; Extracellular matrix; Fibrosis; Mesangial cell
Affiliations: Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China., Departments of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Shanghai College of Medicine, Fudan University, Shanghai, China., Departmentof Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore., Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Departmentof Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. Electronic address: .

Abstract:  In this work, we demonstrated for the first time that S-propargyl-cysteine (SPRC, also named as ZYZ-802), a novel hydrogen sulfide (H2S)-releasing compound, had renoprotective effects on streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic kidney injury. SPRC treatment significantly reduced the level of creatinine, kidney to body weight ratio and in particular, markedly decreased 24-h urine microalbuminuria excretion. SPRC suppressed the mRNA expression of fibronectin and type IV collagen. In vitro, SPRC inhibited mesangial cells over-proliferation and hypertrophy induced by high glucose. Additionally, SPRC attenuated inflammation in diabetic kidneys. SPRC also reduced transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) signaling and expression of phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) pathway. Moreover, SPRC inhibited phosphorylation of ERK, p38 protein. Taken together, SPRC was demonstrated to be a potential therapeutic candidate to suppress diabetic nephropathy. 

Retracted: No

PubPeer comments:
 https: doi.org 10.5937 jaes17-18602 **1 Forged authorship, _i.e._ usurped or theft of authorsu2019 names and affiliations**: The names of Bertrand Chapron and Alexander Babanin, which were on the [original list of authors] of this manuscript were unduly used by the 2 main authors Tim Chen and John Chen; so were their respective affiliations to the _Laboratoire d Ocu00e9anographie Physique et Spatiale, IFREMER (Plouzanu00e9, France)_ and to the _Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne (Melbourne, Australia)_. Neither Bertrand Chapron nor Alexander Babanin took part in this publication, which is totally outside their scientific fields of expertise; neither did they give consent to be the co-authors of this study. They had no prior contact with in any shape or form Tim Chen and John Chen, until they became aware that their names were being unduly cited by the two above-mentioned authors. **2 Action of the journal**: u00b0 The editor of _Journal of Applied Engineering Science_ removed the names of Bertrand Chapron and Alexander Babanin from the paper and published a [corrigendum] that refers to the u201c_written apology of the corresponding author Dr. John Chen explaining it was his omission_u201d. How is it possible to make an omission when using the names of 2 authors at the same time in the same paper? Moreover, even if John Chen apologized to the editor for this u201c_omission_u201d on his part, he has not as yet apologized to either Professor Babanin or Dr. Bertrand Chapron, neither has he acknowledged his u201c_omission_u201d towards them and their respective affiliations. u00b0 The following page on the web site of _Journal of Applied Engineering Science_ is very confusing and misleading: https: aseestant.ceon.rs index.php jaes article view 18602 http: web.archive.org web 20220122114431 https: aseestant.ceon.rs index.php jaes article view 18602 Firstly, there is only one authoru2019s name left in the list of co-authors, u201cJohn Chengu201d. Secondly, the hyperlink associated to the u201cDOI: https: doi.org 10.5937 jaes17-18602u201d that is written below the name of John Cheng corresponds to [this page](http: web.archive.org web 20220122115300 https: scindeks.ceon.rs Article.aspx?artid=1451-41171903280C), where the original list of authors, including A. Babanin and B. Chapron, has not been corrected. **3 Affiliations and email address(es) of the corresponding author(s)**: **3.1.** The academic affiliation of the corresponding author Tim Chen is: _Faculty of Information Technology, Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam_. Ifremer contacted TDTU in January 2021 to report the usurpation of Bertrand Chapronu2019s and Alexander Babaninu2019s identities. TDTU led its own investigation into Tim Chenu2019s activities. However, Ifremer is not in a legal position to disclose the outcome of TDTUu2019s investigation. **3.2.** The affiliations of the corresponding author John Chen (timchen@tdtu.edu.vn; jc343965@gmail.com) to _Staffordshire University, Staffordshire, United Kingdom_ and _BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh_ are erroneous. The author John (alias C.Y.J.) Chen exhibited 29 different academic affiliations in different institutes and or universities in 15 different countries (_i.e._ Bangladesh, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, United States, Papua New Guinea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, Brasilia, Australia, China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Spain, Egypt) for the 66 papers (at least) published between 2018 and 2021 in which he is a co-author with Tim Chen (timchen@tdtu.edu.vn). **4 Related papers by the same two authors Tim Chen and CYJ alias John Chen**: Questionable practices in some other papers written by Tim Chen and C.Y.J. alias John Chen, including a withdrawn paper, are addressed in several posts that are part of the [IFREMER_2021_CC] scientific integrity case handled by [Ifremer] ; contact email address: [ddis@ifremer.fr](mailto:ddis@ifremer.fr). , 
 _Retraction Watch_ has reported on February 3rd, 2022: u201c[French ocean institute goes public about authors who forged their researchersu2019 names] .u201d , 
  The result of this survey is to increase the **fertility rate** of buildings Perhaps this is an engarbled or obfuscated version of  productivity . Perhaps the survey **did** make buildings more fertile.  Therefore, this study will present a prototype of a web-based **periodic records management system** Perhaps an engarbled version of  diary . ,