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Quantitation of glutathione S transferase-pi in the urine of preterm neonates
Hirokazu Tsukahara1, Michiyo Toyo-Oka, Yuko Kanaya
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Fukui, Fukui, Japan. htsuka@fmsrsa.fukui-med.ac.jp
Insights
Urinary glutathione S-transferase pi (GST-pi) is elevated in preterm neonates, correlating with oxidative stress markers. This suggests systemic oxidative stress may influence GST-pi excretion in the neonatal kidney.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Renal Physiology
Background:
- Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes with varying tissue distribution.
- Urinary GST-pi serves as a biomarker for renal distal tubular damage.
- Preterm neonates are a vulnerable population with potential for renal complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate urinary excretion of GST-pi in preterm neonates.
- To assess the relationship between urinary GST-pi and other renal damage markers.
- To investigate the association between urinary GST-pi and oxidative stress status.
Main Methods:
- Measured urinary GST-pi, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, albumin, and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine.
- Assessed serum creatinine levels.
- Collected samples from preterm neonates at 1 and 4 weeks of age.
Main Results:
- Urinary GST-pi levels were higher in preterm neonates than in healthy adults.
- No significant correlation was found between urinary GST-pi and other renal markers (albumin, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, creatinine).
- Urinary GST-pi positively correlated with 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (oxidative stress marker) at 1 and 4 weeks. Sick neonates on oxygen/ventilation had higher GST-pi and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels.
Conclusions:
- Systemic oxidative stress may influence urinary GST-pi excretion in preterm neonates.
- Further research is needed to understand the impact of oxidative conditions on GST-pi expression in renal distal tubules.
Background:
Glutathione S transferases (GSTs) are widely distributed enzymes found in highly varying amounts in tissues of the human body. The enzyme GST-pi in urine has been used as a marker of renal distal tubular cell damage. The present study was intended to evaluate urinary excretion of GST-pi and its relationship to other renal markers and to the status of oxidative stress in preterm neonates.
Methods:
Levels of urinary GST-pi, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase (a marker of proximal tubular damage), albumin (a marker of glomerular damage) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (a marker of oxidative stress) and serum creatinine were measured in preterm neonates at 1 and 4 weeks of age.
Results:
The results showed that urinary excretion of GST-pi is increased in preterm neonates compared with reported values for healthy adults. No significant relationship was detected between urinary GST-pi and other markers for renal function. Urinary GST-pi showed significantly positive correlation with urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine at 1 and 4 weeks. Sick neonates treated with supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation showed significantly higher levels of GST-pi as well as 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine than clinically stable neonates did at 4 weeks.
Conclusions:
These results indicate the potential effect of systemic oxidative stress on urinary excretion of GST-pi. Further studies are necessary to explore the effect of oxidative conditions on expression of GST-pi in distal tubules in the human kidney.
