Effect of prednisone on expression of Ezrin and NEPH1 in rats with Adriamycin-induced nephrosis

Abstract

Objective To explore the mechanism of proteinuria and renal protection of prednisone by obser-ving the expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 in rats with Adriamycin(ADR)-induced nephrosis. Methods The 24 rats were divided into 3 groups, which were control group, model group and prednisone group.ADR model was induced by a tail intravenous injection of ADR for 2 times.Serum index and 24 h urinary protein were measured in 4 and 8 weeks.The expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 in glomerulus were evaluated by using two-step immunohistochemistry respectively. Results Compared with control group, heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipemia were observed in 4 weeks in the model group and the prednisone group which indicated that the models were successfully established.Compared with model group, in 8 weeks, 24 h urinary protein, total cholesterol and serum creatinine in prednisone group were significantly decreased(all P<0.01), while albumin, total protein and endogenous creatinine clearance rate were significantly increased(all P<0.05); The expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 in model group were significantly decreased compared with control group(all P<0.01). The expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 in prednisone group were significantly increased compared with model group(all P<0.01). The expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 were negatively related to proteinuria(r=-0.838, -0.884, all P<0.01). Conclusions The declined expressions of Ezrin and NEPH1 in rats with ADR-induced nephrosis may be one of mechanisms of proteinuria.Prednisone can reduce the proteinuria and relieve the renal pathological damage by improving the expression of Ezrin and NEPH1. Key words: Adriamycin-induced nephrosis; Nephrotic syndrome; Prednisone; Ezrin; NEPH1