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Antioxidant enzyme gene expression in rats with remnant kidney induced chronic renal failure
C Van Den Branden1, B Ceyssens, D De Craemer
1Department of Human Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Academic Hospital, Brussel, Belgium. cvdbrand@minf.vub.ac.be
Abstract:
Reactive oxygen intermediates play a role in chronic renal injury and glomerulosclerosis. We investigate changes in renal cortex antioxidant enzyme gene expression in the rat remnant-kidney model of chronic renal failure and compare the new data to enzyme activities published earlier. Antioxidant enzyme gene expression is evaluated by Northern blot analysis of cortex mRNA, using cDNA probes for catalase, copper/zinc-containing superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. Catalase gene expression decreases during development of renal failure; this decrease is accompanied by decreased catalase activity during the glomerulosclerosis phase of the remnant-kidney model. Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase gene expression remain at a normal level during progression of the model, whereas their activities show a temporary decrease in the early remnant kidney. In the remnant-kidney model, catalase seems to be more vulnerable to reactive oxygen intermediates than superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Our results show that antioxidant enzyme activity and gene expression do not change in the same direction at all times during disease development and that all antioxidant enzymes do not respond in the same way.
Insights
Reactive oxygen intermediates impact chronic kidney disease. In rats, catalase gene expression and activity decrease during kidney failure, unlike other antioxidant enzymes, indicating its vulnerability.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Reactive oxygen intermediates (ROIs) are implicated in chronic kidney injury and glomerulosclerosis.
- Understanding antioxidant enzyme responses is crucial for managing renal failure.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate changes in renal cortex antioxidant enzyme gene expression in a rat remnant-kidney model.
- To compare gene expression data with previously published enzyme activity data.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Northern blot analysis to evaluate antioxidant enzyme gene expression (catalase, copper/zinc-containing superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase) in rat renal cortex mRNA.
- Compared findings with existing data on enzyme activities in the same model.
Main Results:
- Catalase gene expression and activity decreased during the progression of renal failure and glomerulosclerosis.
- Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase gene expression remained normal, though their activities showed a transient decrease.
- Catalase appeared more susceptible to ROIs than superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Conclusions:
- Antioxidant enzyme activity and gene expression do not always correlate in direction or timing during chronic kidney disease development.
- Catalase is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress in the remnant-kidney model.
- Different antioxidant enzymes exhibit distinct responses to reactive oxygen intermediates in chronic renal failure.