Pathway In Kidney Research Articles

Long-term administration of Sopungsungi-won (SP) prevents diabetic nephropathy in Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

We investigated the long term effects of Sopungsungi-won (SP), a Korean traditional formula used for senile constipation and diabetes mellitus, on the development of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. ZDF rats were fed regular laboratory chow mixed with SP or rosiglitazone (RSG) for an 8-week period. Kidney hypertrophy was developed with increasing plasma glucose level, and glomerular hypertrophy was improved by 22% and 45% in SP- and RSG-treated rats, respectively. Urinary glucose and albumin excretions were also significantly lower in SP-treated rats than in ZDF control rats. Activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)-transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF beta1)-fibronectin pathway in kidney, responsible for glomerular dysfunction, was markedly blunted by SP treatment in a dose dependent manner. Our findings, for the first time, provide strong evidence that long-term administration of SP formula prevents the development and progression of DN in ZDF rats. Human trials are needed to confirm these experimental results.

Autocrine production of IFN-gamma by macrophages controls their recruitment to kidney and the development of glomerulonephritis in MRL/lpr mice.

Anti-DNA autoantibody production is a key factor in lupus erythematosus development; nonetheless, the link between glomerular anti-DNA autoantibody deposition and glomerulonephritis development is not understood. To study the inflammatory and destructive processes in kidney, we used IFN-gamma(+/-) MRL/lpr mice which produce high anti-DNA Ab levels but are protected from kidney disease. The results showed that defective macrophage recruitment to IFN-gamma(+/-) mouse kidney was not caused by decreased levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, a chemokine that controls macrophage migration to MRL/lpr mouse kidney. To determine which IFN-gamma-producing cell type orchestrates the inflammation pathway in kidney, we transferred IFN-gamma(+/+) monocyte/macrophages or T cells to IFN-gamma(-/-) mice, which do not develop anti-DNA autoantibodies. The data demonstrate that IFN-gamma production by infiltrating macrophages, and not by T cells, is responsible for adhesion molecule up-regulation, macrophage accumulation, and inflammation in kidney, even in the absence of autoantibody deposits. Therefore, in addition to monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, macrophage-produced IFN-gamma controls macrophage migration to kidney; the degree of IFN-gamma production by macrophages also regulates glomerulonephritis development. Our findings establish the level of IFN-gamma secretion by macrophages as a link between anti-DNA autoantibody deposition and glomerulonephritis development, outline the pathway of the inflammatory process, and suggest potential treatment for disease even after autoantibody development.

Cellular distribution and function of soluble guanylyl cyclase in rat kidney and liver.

Soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) catalyzes the biosynthesis of cGMP in response to binding of L-arginine-derived nitric oxide (NO). Functionally, the NO-sGC-cGMP signaling pathway in kidney and liver has been associated with regional hemodynamics and the regulation of glomerular parameters. The distribution of the ubiquitous sGC isoform alpha 1 beta 1 sGC was studied with a novel, highly specific antibody against the beta 1 subunit. In parallel, the presence of mRNA encoding both subunits was investigated by using in situ hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR assays. The NO-induced, sGC-dependent accumulation of cGMP in cytosolic extracts of tissues and cells was measured in vitro. Renal glomerular arterioles, including the renin-producing granular cells, mesangium, and descending vasa recta, as well as cortical and medullary interstitial fibroblasts, expressed sGC. Stimulation of isolated mesangial cells, renal fibroblasts, and hepatic Ito cells with a NO donor resulted in markedly increased cytosolic cGMP levels. This assessment of sGC expression and activity in vascular and interstitial cells of kidney and liver may have implications for understanding the role of local cGMP signaling cascades.

Undegraded chromogranin A is present in serum and enters the endocytotic lysosomal pathway in kidney

Analysis of human and bovine serum by immunoblotting revealed the presence of the proprotein chromogranin A. By the same method chromogranin A was also found in rat, bovine and human kidney. However this organ did not contain any chromogranin A mRNA arguing against a synthesis within this organ. By immune-electron microscopy chromogranin A immunoreactivity was found in proximal tubule cells of rat kidney. Positive immunostaining was present in small vesicles within and in close proximity to the brush border and closer to the nucleus in typical lysosomal structures. These results make it likely that chromogranin A from serum reaches kidney tubule cells by glomerular filtration and is taken up into the endocytotic lysosomal pathway.

Target cell metabolism of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 to calcitroic acid. Evidence for a pathway in kidney and bone involving 24-oxidation.

1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 is converted to calcitroic acid before being excreted in the bile. Biosynthesis of calcitroic acid has been demonstrated in two target cells of vitamin D, in the kidney and the osteoblastic cell line UMR-106. Calcitroic acid was identified by combinations of h.p.l.c., u.v. spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Evidence is presented that calcitroate is derived from the 24-oxidation pathway, possibly through the intermediate 24,25,26,27-tetranor-1,23-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The 24-oxidation pathway to calcitroic acid in bone cells is stimulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. The pathway in both bone cells and perfused kidney operates at physiological concentrations of substrate and appears to be capable of rapid clearance of the hormone.

The effect of aldose reductase inhibitor Statil (ICI 128436) on the glucose over-utilization in kidney of diabetic rats

The present study examined the effect of the aldose reduetase inhibitor Statil (ICI 128436, ICI, Cheshire, U.K.) on the levels of metabolites and activities of enzymes involved in the glycolysis, polyol pathway and pentose phosphate pathway and on the flux of radioactive glucose through these pathways in kidney of streptozotocin diabetic rats. In kidneys of diabetic rats of 30 days duration the level of sorbitol was increased by + 82% and fructose concentration was raised by + 42%. After treatment with Statil for 9 days (reversal study) a significant fall in kidney sorbitol concentration and kidney fructose concentration was found. Lactate and UDP-glucose concentrations which were both significantly raised in diabetes by +80% and +23% respectively decreased by 20% after Statil treatment, together with a decline in UDP-glucose dehydrogenase activity. Aldose reductase and sorbitol dehydrogenase activities were also significantly lowered by Statil. In the reversal study there was no significant effect of Statil on the flux of glucose via alternative routes in the kidney cortex. In kidneys of diabetic rats of 9 days duration, the level of sorbitol increased by +61% and the concentration of fructose was raised by + 30%. The treatment with Statil (25 mg/kg) from the day of induction of diabetes (prevention study) prevented the accumulation of sorbitol, fructose and UDP-glucose. The increase in the incorporation of radioactive glucose through the pentose phosphate pathway seen in diabetes was less marked in the renal cortex of diabetic rats treated with Statil ab initio.

Prolonged fructose feeding and aldose reductase inhibition: effect on the polyol pathway in kidneys of normal rats.

The effects of diets with differing carbohydrate composition on the kidney polyol pathway were investigated. The diets employed were F = fructose rich, G = glucose rich, S = cornstarch rich, and were fed for 30 days to six groups of 12 normal male Sprague-Dawley rats with and without addition of the aldose reductase inhibitor tolrestat (T). Fructose feeding resulted in higher kidney sorbitol levels (F = 0.847 +/- 0.152, G = 0.354 +/- 0.087, S = 0.207 +/- 0.041 microM/g wet wt, P less than 0.05). This was not observed in the tolrestat-treated animals (F + T = 0.182 +/- 0.024, G + T = 0.149 +/- 0.021, S + T = 0.152 +/- 0.020 microM/g wet wt). Aldose reductase activity was reduced with tolrestat administration (F = 0.0208 +/- 0.0023, F + T = 0.0048 +/- 0.0005; G = 0.0210 +/- 0.0002, G + T = 0.0059 +/- 0.0008; S = 0.0227 +/- 0.0022, S + T = 0.0062 +/- 0.0007 microU). Myoinositol levels did not differ among groups (F = 1.973 +/- 0.182, G = 2.291 +/- 0.307, S = 2.066 +/- 0.155 microM/g wet wt), but tended to increase with aldose reductase inhibition (F + T = 2.253 +/- 0.186, G + T = 2.713 +/- 0.166, S + T = 2.618 +/- 0.221 microM/g wet wt). Plasma glucose was higher in the fructose-fed rats (F = 10.78 +/- 0.55, G = 9.09 +/- 0.058, S = 9.03 +/- 0.52, F + T = 9.75 +/- 0.61, G + T = 8.42 +/- 0.64, S + T = 8.81 +/- 0.49 mM/liter). It is concluded that prolonged fructose feeding results in the accumulation of sorbitol in the kidney, caused by increased flux of glucose through the polyol pathway. This can be prevented by aldose reductase inhibition.

Effects of lead on the heme biosynthetic pathway in rat kidney

Exposure of rats to lead in drinking water at concentrations of 500 ppm and 1000 ppm for 3 and 6 months resulted in elevated blood lead levels, formation of kidney intranuclear inclusion bodies, and increased urinary excretion of uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin. The erythrocytic Zn-protoporphyrin was increased in the highest dose group. No significant effects on body weight gain or kidney weight were observed. Renal activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase (ALAS) was not significantly affected by lead treatment. The renal activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid dehydrase (ALAD) was moderately increased and ferrochelatase activity was significantly decreased. The relatively small effects of chronic lead exposure on renal heme biosynthesis suggests that intracellular complexation of lead with high-affinity renal lead binding proteins (PbBP) and formation of intranuclear inclusions in proximal tubule cells protects this highly sensitive pathway in kidney from lead inhibition in vivo. These data also suggest that the observed increases in urinary porphyrin excretion are primarily due to lead effects on the erythropoietic system.

Renal hypertrophy in experimental diabetes. Changes in pentose phosphate pathway activity.

An examination was made of the effect of different periods of experimental diabetes on the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway in rat kidney. A rapid increase in kidney weight, expressed both in absolute terms and in terms of body weight, occurred shortly after the induction of diabetes. The activity of the enzymes of the oxidative segment of the pentose phosphate pathway and the flux of glucose through the pathway were both increased during the first 7 days after induction of diabetes. Thereafter, enzyme activity returned toward control levels, but the increased functional activity of the pathway, as measured using specifically labeled glucose, persisted. In contrast, transketolase was significantly depressed at the time of most rapid kidney growth. A positive correlation was found between the rate of kidney growth and the change in activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and a negative correlation with changes in transketolase activity. The possible roles of the oxidative and nonoxidative segments of the pentose phosphate pathway in the kidney in early diabetes-induced renal hypertrophy are discussed.

Effect of plasma levels of parathyroid hormone on NADPH pathways in kidney and liver

NADPH available for mixed function oxidations (pathway 1) or biosynthetic processes (pathway 2) has been evaluated in different cells from rat liver and kidney. In addition, changes of the proportion of NADPH utilized in each pathway were demonstrated in the same cells from rats showing different circulating levels of parathyroid hormone (PTH). Quantitative levels of NADPH directed into each of these pathways have been measured and histologically located in sections from rat liver and kidney using quantitative cytochemistry and scanning and integrating microdensitometry. Centrilobular hepatocytes utilize the major amount of NADPH, either via pathway 1 or 2. Kidney cells utilize most NADPH via pathway 2, particularly in the distal part of the nephron. The cells of the pars recta have shown the highest capacity to utilize NADPH via pathway 1, which is about half that of centrilobular hepatocytes. In centrilobular cells, the presence of high plasma levels of PTH results in a significant increment of NADPH utilization either via pathway 1 or 2. In kidneys from rats showing high plasma levels of PTH, a selective increase in NADPH utilized via pathway 2 was observed in the distal convoluted tubule whereas a selective increase in NADPH utilized via pathway 1 was demonstrated in cells of the pars recta. These observations provide further information in the understanding of the physiology of kidney and liver cells.

The In vitro metabolism of mevalonate by sterol and nonsterol pathways in neonatal chick

1. 1. Incorporation of mevalonate into nonsaponifiable lipids by neonatal chick liver and kidney slices was studied as a function of weight of tissue and incubation time. In the same conditions, more nonsaponifiable lipids were produced in kidney than in liver. 2. 2. CO 2 production from mevalonate increased with the weight of tissue and with the incubation time. Over 80% of CO 2 produced from mevalonate resulted from the shunt pathway in kidney, while in liver this route was quantitatively insignificant. 3. 3. 2- 14C from mevalonate was also incorporated into saponifiable (acidic) fraction by kidney slices. 4. 4. Incorporation into nonsaponifiable lipids and total CO 2 increased with the concentration of mevalonate. This increase was more pronounced in kidney than in liver especially at low mevalonate concentrations. In the presence of 0.1–8.0 mM mevalonate over 80% of the CO 2 produced from this substrate resulted from the shunt pathway, while liver was practically ineffective whatever be the concentration of mevalonate. 5. 5. The percentage of mevalonate metabolized in the kidney by shunt pathway increased with the incubation time and reached over 15% in the presence of 0.1–8.0 mM mevalonate.

Regulation of pathways of glucose metabolism in kidney. The effect of experimental diabetes on the activity of the pentose phosphate pathway and the glucuronate-xylulose pathway

Measurements have been made of the activities of enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway, the glucuronate-xylulose pathway, hexokinase and phosphofructokinase in kidney of diabetic and normal rats. The activities of these enzymes keep pace with kidney growth, remaining constant per gram tissue but showing a marked increase on the basis of total activity per 100 g body wt. The formation of 14CO 2 from [1- 14C]glucose and [6- 14C]glucose by kidney slices from diabetic rats was decreased to approximately half the control value; evidence was obtained for an equivalent dilution of the glucose 6-phosphate pool. Correction of the 14CO 2 yields for the change in specific activity of glucose 6-phosphate yielded values consistent with the enzyme profile. Calculations from specific yields of 14CO 2 provided evidence for an increased flux of glucose via the pentose phosphate pathway in the kidney in diabetes. The results are discussed in relation to kidney hypertrophy in diabetes and the requirement for ribose 5-phosphate and NADPH for biosynthetic reactions and in relation to the thickening of the basement membrane in diabetes. These results are in accord with the concept of glucose overutilization by non-insulin-requiring tissues.

Effect of calciferol on enzyme levels in kidney, liver and intestinal mucosa of rat

To investigate a possible effect of vitamin D on enzyme proteins, experiments were performed to evaluate enzyme level changes of main metabolic pathways in kidney, liver and intestinal mucosa of rats fed on a vitamin D-free, and on a diet containing high doses of the vitamin. The results suggest that enzyme levels are influenced by non physiological doses of the vitamin.