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Adaptive ammoniagenesis in chronic renal failure
1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Renal Physiology and Biochemistry
|September 1, 1990
Summary
Chronic renal failure impacts kidney ammoniagenesis. Gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) plays a significant role in adaptive ammoniagenesis by utilizing glutamine and glutathione in chronic renal failure.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Background:
- Chronic renal failure (CRF) is associated with altered kidney function.
- Renal ammoniagenesis is crucial for acid-base balance.
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) is involved in amino acid and glutathione metabolism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) in renal ammoniagenesis.
- To assess the utilization of glutamine (Gln) and glutathione (GSH) in chronic renal failure (CRF).
- To differentiate extracellular gamma-GT activity from intracellular glutaminase activity.
Main Methods:
- Subtotal nephrectomy (SNX) model in rats to induce chronic renal failure (CRF).
- Measurement of renal ammoniagenesis (NH4+ production).
- Use of acivicin, a gamma-GT-specific inhibitor, to differentiate enzyme sources.
Main Results:
- Glutamine (Gln) extraction decreased in the SNX group (41%) compared to controls (61%).
- Glutathione (GSH) extraction increased in the SNX group (10%) compared to controls (1%).
- Acivicin significantly inhibited total NH4+ production in both SNX (44%) and control (33%) groups.
Conclusions:
- Gamma-glutamyltransferase (gamma-GT) is a key enzyme in adaptive ammoniagenesis in chronic renal failure (CRF).
- Gamma-GT contributes to renal ammoniagenesis through the utilization of glutamine (Gln) and glutathione (GSH) in CRF.
- Extracellular gamma-GT activity is significant in the altered ammoniagenesis observed in chronic renal failure (CRF).