Immunohistochemical analysis of renal oxidative damage in senior and geriatric cats with chronic kidney disease

Abstract

Oxidative stress is a well-known cause of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, renal oxidative damage in azotaemic and non-azotaemic aged cats with naturally occurring CKD was investigated using immunohistochemistry for 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) as markers of oxidative tissue damage. Kidneys were obtained from aged (>10 years old) azotaemic (n = 13) and non-azotaemic (n = 7) cats. Immunoreactivity for 8-OHdG was found in the nuclei of glomeruli, proximal and distal tubules, loops of Henle and collecting ducts, whereas 4-HNE-positive signals were detected in the cytoplasm of distal nephrons in azotaemic and non-azotaemic cats. Quantitative analysis did not identify any significant differences between the azotaemic and non-azotaemic groups for any of the parameters examined. These results indicate that renal oxidative damage occurs in the kidneys of aged cats with CKD, regardless of whether they are azotaemic or non-azotaemic, emphasizing the importance of oxidative stress during early-stage CKD in senior and geriatric cats.