Increased renal tubular Na−K-ATPase activity in Milan hypertensive rats in the prehypertensive period

Milan hypertensive (MSH) rats develop hypertension around the 3rd–4th week of life and exhibit increased Na-pump activity in adulthood. The present study was performed to evaluate whether or not hypertension is preceded by an increase in Na–K-ATPase activity. Total and ouabain-sensitive ATPase activities were studied in single microdissected medullary thick ascending limb of Henle (mTAL) tubules from MHS, Milan normotensive (MNS) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats at 22–24, 26–28 and 45–60 days of age. Data are given as mean±SEM. Total and Na–K-ATPase activity exhibited a developmental pattern in MHS, MNS and SD rats. At 22–24 days no difference was seen between MHS and MNS animals. At 26–28 days MHS had a higher total and Na–K-ATPase activity than MNS (3031+171 vs 2471+178 pmol phosphate/mm tubule per hour,P<0.05; 2289+205 vs 1653+151,n=10,P<0.05). At this age there was still no difference in mean arterial blood pressure (88+4 vs 86+3 mm Hg,n=15). Adult MHS rats had higher blood pressure (140+9 vs 112+8 mm Hg,P<0.001) and higher total (3544+136 vs 2718+215 pmol phosphate/mm tubule per hour,n=10,P<0.01) and Na–K-ATPase activity (2670+99 vs 1942+217 pmol phosphate/mm tubule per hour,n=10,P<0.05) than adult MNS rats. We conclude that increased Na–K-ATPase activity in mTAL precedes the development of hypertension in the Milan strain of rats.     

Red blood cell lipid peroxidation in predialysis chronic renal failure

In hemodialysis patients the pentose-phosphate shunt activity is deficient. As a consequence, the lipid peroxidation of the erythrocyte membranes is increased as shown by the increase in malonyldialdehyde concentrations and is accompanied by a decrease of the level of vitamin E in RBC. In the present study we have found that increased lipid peroxidation of the erythrocyte membranes is present also in chronic renal failure patients in the predialysis state, provided that the serum creatinine levels are higher than 5 mg/dl.     

Antioxidative status and lipid peroxidation in kidney tissue of rats fed with vitamin B6-deficient diet

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate lipid peroxidation (LP) and free radical scavenging enzyme activities in kidney tissue of vitamin B₆-deficient rats. Material and Methods: The rats were divided into control and vitamin B₆-deficient groups. After 4 weeks of feeding, animals in all groups were anesthetized by thiopental sodium (50 mg/kg). Thoraces were opened, 2 mL blood samples were taken from aortas, then the rats were killed by cervical dislocation, and kidney tissues were removed. Biochemical measurements in kidney tissue were carried out using a spectrophotometer. Results: Total superoxide scavenger activity (TSSA), nonenzymatic superoxide scavenger activity (NSSA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, and antioxidant potential (AOP) values in the vitamin B₆-deficient group were significantly lower than those of the control group, whereas glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GRD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) level were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.05). Discussion: The results show that vitamin B₆ deficiency causes an attenuation in antioxidant defense system and an increase in oxidative stress in kidney tissue of rats.     

An ontogenic study of renal tissue kallikrein in Okamoto spontaneously hypertensive rats: comparisons with human hypertensive nephropathy.

Urinary excretion of tissue kallikrein is reduced in essential hypertension. Although a similar finding has been reported in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), only a few studies have been concerned with the amount of enzyme within the kidney both at the time of onset and during progression of the hypertension. We have performed an ontogenic study on the renal parenchymal values and immunoreactivity of tissue kallikrein in Okamoto SHR aged 4-78 weeks. Additionally, these two parameters were analysed in human biopsies taken from patients with hypertensive nephropathy. The enzymatic activity of renal tissue kallikrein (active and total; specifically antagonized by anti-tissue kallikrein antibodies), increased from 4 to 52 weeks in SHR when compared to normotensive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats; this increase was associated with a significant increase in blood pressure. In contrast, 78 weeks SHR and human biopsy tissue showed a substantial reduction in tissue kallikrein values. Also, both renal tissues showed a reduction in immunoreactivity in the cells of the connecting tubules that specifically store the enzyme. In advanced hypertension the observed reduction in tissue kallikrein was probably secondary to a loss of distal tubular mass, as a result of tubular atrophy and fibrosis. The greater values for renal tissue kallikrein in the kidney and reported reduced urinary excretion during the early phases of spontaneous hypertension may be explained by a primary defect in the mechanisms that regulate release of tissue kallikrein from the connecting tubule cells.     

In vitro stimulation of renal tubular p-aminohippurate transport by dexamethasone in rat kidneys and in intact kidney tissue of patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to test whether or not the accumulation of p-aminohippurate (PAH) can be increased in intact human renal cortical slices obtained from tumor-bearing kidneys of patients suffering from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Tissue slices were incubated for 24 h in Williams medium E containing 0.01–50 μM dexamethasone. Thereafter slices were placed in PAH-containing Cross-Taggart medium and PAH uptake into kidney tissue was measured for 2 h. In both rat and human renal tissue slices, PAH uptake capacity increased significantly in a concentration-dependent manner after 24 h of incubation in dexamethasone-containing medium (rat, 136%; man, 156%). The stimulatory effect was already significant after 12 h of incubation. In additional experiments it was shown that incubation in triiodothyronine (T₃)-containing medium has different effects: in man, T₃ does not influence the PAH accumulation capacity of renal cortical slices whereas in rats PAH accumulation is significantly lower after 24 h of incubation with T₃. Thus stimulation of tubular transport capacity can be performed in vitro in human renal cortical slices. Discrepancies between the effects of dexamethasone and T₃ indicate different modes of action of the two hormones at the cellular level. Received: 4 August 1997 / Accepted: 28 October 1997     

The effect of connective tissue growth factor on renal fibrosis and podocyte injury in hypertensive rats

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the roles of podocalyxin (PCX) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in spontaneously hypertensive rats. Methods: Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive control Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats were divided into groups referred to as SHR 12W, SHR 24W, WKY 12W and WKY 24W. Systolic blood pressure and 24-hour total uric protein were measured every two weeks in the respective groups. CTGF, PCX, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen-III were evaluated via immunohistochemical staining. In addition, CTGF, PCX, and α-SMA gene expression levels were determined by analyzing mRNA levels. Results: More kidney lesions occurred alongside foot processes effacement in SHR 24W rats than in SHR 12W rats. In SHR 12W rats, blood pressure and 24-hour total uric protein level were elevated and continued to increase thereafter. In the SHR 12W and SHR 24W groups, the expression of CTGF, α-SMA and collagen-III was significantly increased. Immunohistochemical staining showed that PCX expression was significantly reduced in the SHR group and CTGF expression was increased. A significant decrease in PCX mRNA and an increase in CTGF mRNA were observed in SHR 24W rats relative to SHR 12W rats. Conclusion: Both the overexpression of CTGF and the loss of podocalyxin reflect renal damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats. CTGF and PCX may be involved in the mechanisms of podocyte injury and apoptosis induced by hypertension.     

自噬在脂质诱导的肾小管上皮细胞损伤中脂质聚集中的作用

目的初步探讨自噬在脂质诱导的肾小管上皮细胞损伤中脂质聚集中的作用。方法将HK-2细胞培养后,分为4组:0μg/ml组(A组)、20μg/ml组(B组)、50μg/ml组(C组)、100μg/ml组(D组)。分别用0μg/ml、20μg/ml、50μg/ml、100μg/ml低密度脂蛋白(low density lipoprotein,LDL)刺激肾小管上皮细胞24 h,用油红O法检测细胞内中性脂质,通过透射电子显微镜下观察自噬体形成,荧光显微镜下观察LC3-GFP融合蛋白示踪自噬形成,Wester blotting检测LC3-Ⅱ、LC3-Ⅰ蛋白。结果①油红O显示在0~100μg/ml浓度范围内LDL随浓度增高刺激细胞内脂质增多;②电镜显示正常HK-2细胞内可见少许自噬泡,在0~50μg/ml浓度范围内随LDL刺激浓度增加,细胞内自噬泡逐渐增多,但达到一定浓度(即100μg/ml)后自噬泡急剧减少;③正常HK-2细胞内可见少许LC3-GFP染色阳性,在0~50μg/ml浓度范围内随LDL刺激浓度增加,细胞内LC3-GFP染色阳性逐渐增多,但达到一定浓度即100μg/ml后LC3-GFP染色阳性急剧减少;④正常HK-2细胞内存在少量的LC3-Ⅰ和LC3-Ⅱ,但以LC3-Ⅰ为主,在0~50μg/ml浓度范围内随LDL刺激浓度增加,LC3-Ⅰ和LC3-Ⅱ均增加,但LC3-Ⅱ增加更明显,50μg/ml LDL组LC3-Ⅰ是0μg/ml LDL组的2倍,LC3-Ⅱ表达是0μg/ml的3倍,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05),LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值逐渐增高,分别为0.41,0.82,1.23,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05),但LDL达到100μg/ml后LC3-Ⅰ和LC3-Ⅱ均急剧减少,100μg/ml LDL组LC3-Ⅰ降至与0μg/ml组LDL相同(P0.05),LC3-Ⅱ表达降至为0μg/ml LDL组的1.5倍,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ比值也急剧下降至0.52,差异有统计学意义(均P0.05)。结论肾小管上皮细胞内自噬与脂质有一定关系,自噬可能参与脂质诱导的肾小管上皮细胞内脂质聚集。     

冬虫夏草对自发性高血压大鼠肾脏Klotho表达和肾小管上皮细胞凋亡的影响

目的 观察自发性高血压大鼠（SHR）肾脏Klotho表达和肾小管上皮细胞的凋亡情况以及冬虫夏草对其的影响,探讨冬虫夏草在高血压肾损伤肾小管上皮细胞凋亡中的保护作用机制。 方法 按随机数字表法将20只22周龄雄性SHR分为模型组（SHR）、冬虫夏草组、氯沙坦组、冬虫夏草＋氯沙坦组,以5只22周龄雄性Wistar-Kyoto（WKY）大鼠为对照组。测定尿蛋白量（24 h）、NAG、Scr、BUN水平,并观察肾脏病理改变;RT-PCR法观察肾组织Klotho、p53和p21 mRNA表达;Western印迹法检测肾组织Klotho、p53、p21和活性caspase-3蛋白表达;原位缺口末端标记法（TUNEL）检测肾小管上皮细胞凋亡。 结果 与SHR组相比,冬虫夏草组、氯沙坦组、冬虫夏草＋氯沙坦组尿蛋白量（24 h）[（52.16±29.3） mg、（49.97±32.5） mg、（54.67±30.09） mg比（96.52±36.94） mg]、尿NAG[(44.13±9.11)、(42.75±8.33)、（41.96±7.88） U/L比（54.07±6.57） U/L]、Scr[（45.25±9.55）、（43.76±8.65）、（45.18±7.28） μmol/L比（53.84±10.21） μmol/L]和BUN[（8.25±1.03）、（8.40±1.58）、（8.32±0.98） mmol/L比（8.91±1.24） mmol/L]均显著减少（均P ＜ 0.05）,肾脏病理损害减轻,同时肾脏Klotho表达显著上调（P ＜ 0.01）,而p53、p21及活性caspase-3表达均显著下调（均P ＜ 0.01）,肾小管上皮细胞凋亡显著减少（分别为7.56%±0.52％、7.93%±0.37％、7.37%±0.36％比13.32%±0.64％,均P ＜ 0.01）,各药物干预组间差异无统计学意义（P ＞ 0.05）。 结论 冬虫夏草可能通过上调Klotho表达,抑制p53、p21的表达和caspase-3的活化,减少肾小管上皮细胞凋亡,从而对高血压肾损伤起一定的保护作用。     

Antioxidant enzyme determination and a study of lipid peroxidation in renal transplantation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), in renal transplant patients and at the same time to report on the degree of lipid peroxidation observed in these patients. In order to do so we measured erythrocyte malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation. These measurements were made at different times: before the transplant, 48 h after the transplant, a week after the transplant and two weeks after the transplant. The values reported were compared with a control group. The results showed that there was a higher MDA level in the transplant group than in the control group one week after the transplant. In addition, two weeks after the transplant, the activities of CAT and SOD were higher in the transplant group than in the control group.     

Trace elements and lipid peroxidation abnormalities in patients with chronic renal failure

Plasma selenium (Se), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) levels and antioxidant metalloenzymes, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were studied in 17 patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) (group I), 14 uremic patients (group II) and 14 healthy subjects (group III). Plasma Se levels and erythrocyte GPX were significantly lower in the HD group (for Se: 0.69 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.05 +/- 0.13 mumol/l in controls; for erythrocyte GPX: 34.4 +/- 6.4 vs. 49.2 +/- 9 IU/g hemoglobin in controls) and a significant correlation was found between the two parameters (r = 0.66, p less than 0.005). There was also a correlation between decreased plasma Zn and erythrocyte SOD activity (r = 0.58, p less than 0.02) and between decreased plasma Cu and erythrocyte SOD (r = 0.60, p less than 0.02). Plasma malondialdehyde levels were augmented in HD patients (5.08 +/- 0.26 vs. 2.55 +/- 0.15 mumol/l in controls and 2.79 +/- 0.40 mumol/l in the uremic group). The catalase activity was increased in HD patients (202 +/- 24 vs. 140 +/- 40 IU/mg hemoglobin in group III). A defective antioxidant activity may thus contribute to increased peroxidative damage to cells in the course of dialysis.     

The effect of aminoguanidine on blood and tissue lipid peroxidation in jaundiced rats with endotoxemia induced with LPS.

Obstructive jaundice (OJ) is a severe condition that leads to several complications. One of the important problems in OJ is the increased incidence of endotoxemia, which is the result of bacterial translocation (BT) and defective host immune response. Lipid peroxidation (LP) is an important problem in OJ and sepsis in which nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity are increased and antioxidative activity is decreased. Formation of peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) anion leads to cellular damage and apoptosis. In this experimental study, we explore the effect of specific iNOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG) on blood and tissue (liver and renal) LP and iNOS levels in jaundiced rats with endotoxemia induced with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Rats were randomized into six groups; group A, sham; group B, obstructive jaundice (OJ); group C, OJ + LPS; group D, OJ + AG; group E, OJ + LPS + AG; group F, OJ + AG + LPS. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and serum myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and liver and renal tissue MDA, MPO, and Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity levels were detected in biochemical methods. Liver and renal tissue iNOS levels were examined immunohistopathologically. Serum and tissue MDA and MPO levels and tissue iNOS expression were increased significantly in groups B, C, and E, while tissue ATPase levels were decreased significantly in the same groups. In the group treated with AG (group D), serum and tissue MDA and MPO levels and tissue iNOS expression were decreased while tissue ATPase levels were increased significantly. In group F, if AG was administrated before LPS, we observed that serum and tissue MDA and MPO levels and tissue iNOS expression were decreased while tissue ATPase levels were increased significantly. Thus, our study showed that AG had a protective effect when it was administrated before LPS, but it failed to prevent tissue iNOS expression and LP if there was established endotoxemia in OJ.     

The effect of N-acetylcysteine on pulmonary lipid peroxidation and tissue damage

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on pulmonary lipid peroxidation and tissue damage in experimental obstructive jaundice (OJ) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in this study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We randomized 40 rats into five groups. Group A: Sham (n = 8); group B: OJ (n = 8); group C: OJ + lipopolysaccharide (LPS; n = 8); group D: OJ + NAC + LPS (n = 8); group E: OJ + LPS + NAC (n = 8). OJ was performed by common bile duct ligation and division in all groups except the sham group. At the fifth day, the rats were jaundiced. At the fifth day of OJ, LPS was injected 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally to the rats and at the tenth day, the rats were sacrificed in group C. In group D; at the fifth day of OJ, NAC was started 100 mg/kg subcutaneously and the same dose NAC injection repeated every day for 5 days. At the tenth day of OJ, LPS was injected 10 mg/kg intraperitoneally to the rats and then after 6 h they were sacrificed. In group E; 10 mg/kg LPS was administered intraperitoneally at fifth day of OJ and after then NAC was started 100 mg/kg subcutaneously and the same dose NAC injection repeated every day for 5 days and at the tenth day, the rats were sacrificed. Tissue samples were harvested through a midline incision, and lungs were resected and examined histopathologically and immunohistochemically for tissue damage scoring. The blood was taken by cardiac puncture and malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and levels of total antioxidant status were detected with biochemical methods to evaluate lung tissue damage. RESULTS: Increase in lung and serum MDA and MPO levels, as well as decrease in total antioxidant status, were observed in groups B and C when compared with the sham group (P = 0.0001, for each comparison). Furthermore, the lung tissue damage was observed in the same groups by histopathological examination when compared with sham group. There was significant decrease at serum and lung MPO and MDA levels after the NAC application in groups D and E, when compared with group C (P = 0.0001, for each comparison). Antioxidant status in groups D and E were increased in the presence of NAC (P = 0.0001, for each comparison). Lung histology was prevented relatively in group D when compared with groups B and C. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that NAC has protective effect on pulmonary lipid peroxidation and tissue damage before and after LPS administration.     

Candesartan cilexetil protects cavernous tissue in spontaneously hypertensive rats

In previous experiments, our group demonstrated morphological changes in erectile tissue from male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). The present study was performed to determine whether an angiotensin II receptor blocker could protect cavernous tissue (CT) from these structural alterations in SHR. Male SHR and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats were studied during 4 months. Rats were divided into three groups: SHR (n=10), SHR with candesartan cilexetil (n=10) and WKY rats (n=10). Candesartan cilexetil 7.5 mg/kg/day was administered orally throughout the study. CT was processed for pathology studies. The amount of (1) cavernous smooth muscle (CSM), (2) vascular smooth muscle (VSM), (3) collagen type III, and the rat endothelial cell antibody (RECA-1)/tunica media ratio in cavernous arteries were evaluated. SHR with candesartan cilexetil showed a lower blood pressure, a lower percentage of CSM, smaller VSM area, with a higher RECA-1/media ratio, and a lower percentage of collagen type III, when compared to untreated SHR. In addition, SHR showed a positive correlation between systolic blood pressure (SBP) and CSM amount (r=0.91; P<0.01), and SBP and the percentage of collagen type III (r=0.88; P<0.01); these correlations were not observed either in SHR treated with candesartan cilexetil or in WKY rats. We conclude that candesartan cilexetil provides a significant protective role against morphologic changes in vessels as well as in cavernous spaces of the erectile tissue, caused by high blood pressure, in SHR.     

The effects of memantine on lipid peroxidation following closed-head trauma in rats

Memantine is an uncompetitive N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Unlike other NMDA antagonists, it has been used clinically for years for the treatment of Parkinsons disease, spasticity, and dementia without serious side effects. We aimed to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of memantine on a closed head trauma model. A total of 132 adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham-operated, control (closed head trauma), sham-vehicle (closed head trauma + saline), treatment (closed head trauma + memantine, 10 mg/kg, i.p.). A cranial impact was delivered to the skull, just in front of the coronal suture, over the left hemisphere, from the height of 7 cm. Saline or memantine were applied 15 min after trauma. Rats were euthanased 0.5, 1, 2, 6, 24, 48 h after trauma. Brain tissue samples were taken 5 mm away from the left frontal pole and also from the corresponding point of the contralateral hemispheres. Malondialdehyde activity (MDA) was considered to reflect the degree of lipid peroxidation. The MDA levels continued to increase for the first 2 h after the injury, then started to decrease gradually. Memantine treatment significantly reduced lipid peroxidation levels in the treatment group compared with other groups (P<0.01). The findings of the present study indicate that memantine provides beneficial effects after closed head trauma in rats.     

Proximal renal tubular dysfunction in primary distal renal tubular acidosis

Low-molecular-weight (LMW) proteinuria has been described in patients with primary distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA). However, other proximal renal tubular dysfunctions have rarely been reported. In this report we describe reversible and multiple proximal renal tubular cell dysfunctions in a patient with dRTA. A 4-year-old girl was admitted to our hospital for investigation of short stature and proteinuria. Laboratory studies revealed a hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis without aciduria, hypokalemia, hypouricemia with uricosuria, hypercalciuria, LMW proteinuria, phosphaturia, and generalized aminoaciduria. The patient was diagnosed as having dRTA with multiple proximal renal tubular dysfunctions. All proximal renal tubular dysfunction subsided 1.5 years after starting alkali therapy. The precise pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of multiple proximal renal tubular dysfunctions in dRTA remained unclear. However, proximal renal tubular endosomal dysfunction resulting from a profound intracellular acidosis caused by vacuolar H⁺-ATPase dysfunction or hypokalemic nephropathy might contribute to the development of proximal renal tubular dysfunctions in patients with dRTA.