ISSN:
1437-7799
Keywords:
Key words Uranyl acetate
;
ARF
;
Glycine
;
Apoptosis
;
Tubular damage
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Background. Although uranyl acetate (UA) is known to induce apoptosis in renal tubular cells, the pathophysiological role of apoptotic cell death in UA-induced acute renal failure (ARF) is not clear. In this study, we examined whether glycine, which is known to provide protection against nephrotoxic acute renal failure, attenuated tubular damage in UA-induced ARF in rats, and, if so, whether the attenuation of tubular damage was associated with reduced apoptotic cell death. Methods. Sprague-Dawley rats were allocated to three groups; normal controls, UA-treated, and UA plus glycine-treated. Acute renal failure was induced by the intravenous injection of UA (5 mg/kg). UA plus glycine-treated rats were given glycine at 1 g/kg, i.v. over 3 min at the same time as the UA injection. Serum creatinine concentration (Scr) and tubular damage score were examined 5 days after UA administration. Apoptosis was evaluated by counting the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the outer stripe of the outer medulla. Results. Glycine significantly decreased the UA-induced increases in Scr (3.73 ± 0.31 vs 2.74 ± 0.11 mg/dl; P 〈 0.05) and the tubular damage score (3.83 ± 0.13 vs 2.58 ± 0.01; P 〈 0.01). UA significantly increased the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the outer stripe of the outer medulla (0.16 ± 0.04 vs 7.45 ± 0.46/high power field at ×400 magnification; P 〈 0.01 vs normal control value). Glycine infusion significantly lessened the number of TUNEL-positive cells (5.84 ± 0.31/ high power field at ×400 magnification; P 〈 0.01 vs UA-treated rats). A significant correlation was found between the number of TUNEL-positive cells and the tubular damage score (r = 0.93; P 〈 0.01). Conclusion. Glycine ameliorated the severity of UA-induced ARF and the degree of apoptotic cell death. This finding suggested that the protective effect of glycine in UA-induced ARF may be mediated, at least in part, through a reduction of apoptosis.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s101570050057
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