[Role of reactive oxygen species (Ros) in model immune complex nephritis]

In an attempt to examine the role of reactive oxygen species on bivalent hapten immune complex glomerulonephritis, superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration in renal tissue was studied by Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) and the protective effect of radical scavengers were evaluated. Injection of immune complex (IC) induced severe glomerulonephritis, characterized by neutrophil and/or monocyte infiltration in glomeruli in an association with proteinuria. SOD concentration in renal tissue decreased when neutrophil and/or monocytes infiltration and proteinuria developed, indicating a possible role of reactive oxygen species on renal injury. SOD, superoxide scavenger, and catalase (CAT), which destroy hydrogen peroxide, apparently reduced proteinuria on 14th day (18.5 +/- 3.17 mg/day, 20.7 +/- 7.35 mg/day, respectively, in comparison with control group, 29.5 +/- 4.21 mg/day), but there was no statistical significance. On the other hand, hydroxy radical scavenger, dimethylthiourea (DMTU) significantly reduced proteinuria (15.3 +/- 4.21 mg/day) and remarkable improvement in renal histology was observed. It is concluded that reactive oxygen species, especially hydroxy radical, play a significant role on renal injury in bivalent hapten immune complex glomerulonephritis.