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Meprin activity in rats with experimental renal disease
H Trachtman1, R Greenwald, S Moak
1Department of Pediatrics (Division of Nephrology), Schneider Children's Hospital, New Hyde Park, NY 11042.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Renal meprin (enzyme) activity significantly increases in experimental diabetes but decreases in puromycin-induced nephropathy, suggesting roles in kidney disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Biochemistry
- Enzymology
Background:
- Meprin is a membrane-bound proteinase located in the proximal tubule brush border of the kidney.
- Its role in kidney disease pathogenesis is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the activity of renal meprin in experimental models of diabetic nephropathy and puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy.
- To determine if meprin activity correlates with renal injury in these disease states.
Main Methods:
- Kidney homogenates from normal, diabetic (streptozocin-induced), and puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy rats were analyzed.
- Enzyme activity of meprin was quantified using azocasein as a substrate.
Main Results:
- Meprin activity was significantly elevated in streptozocin-induced diabetic rats (8.58 U/g kidney weight) compared to normal rats (3.22 U/g kidney weight).
- Conversely, meprin activity was significantly decreased in puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy rats (2.13 U/g kidney weight) compared to normal rats.
- These changes were statistically significant (P < 0.01).
Conclusions:
- Renal meprin activity is markedly elevated in experimental diabetes.
- Reduced meprin activity in puromycin aminonucleoside nephropathy may contribute to renal injury and massive proteinuria.
- Meprin activity serves as a potential biomarker for distinct kidney disease pathologies.