| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to determine the antioxidant enzyme activities in renal tissues of early stage ddY mice, an animal model for primary IgA nephropathy. Eight- and 40-week-old ddY female mice and normal healthy Balb/c female mice were used in this study. The levels of Cu/Zn-SOD, Mn-SOD, and GSH-PX activities in the renal cortex were significantly higher in 40-week-old ddY mice than in Balb/c control mice of the same age; no change of catalase activity was observed. There were no significant differences in the levels of Cu/Zn-SOD, MT-SOD, GSH-PX, and catalase activities between the ddY mice and Balb/c mice at 8 weeks of age. Urinary protein was slightly higher in 40-week-old ddY mice. IgA or C3 was deposited at low levels in the glomerular mesangial areas of 8-week-old ddY mice. Marked depositions of IgA and C3 extended from the glomerular mesangial areas to the capillary walls of 40-week-old ddY mice. Expansion of glomerular mesangial matrices and mild mesangial cell proliferation was observed in 40-week-old ddY mice. Antioxidant enzyme activities in the renal cortex were already increased in the early stage IgA nephropathy in 40-week-old ddY mice. These findings suggest that measurements of antioxidant enzyme activities in the renal cortex of 40-week-old ddY mice was useful for evaluation of the pathogenesis of renal involvement in the early stage of IgA nephropathy. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
