Korean J Nephrol.  2003 Mar;22(2):174-184.

Renin-angiotensin System and the Renal Expression of bcl-2 and Fas Genes in Experimental Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction

• Song JH
• Lee CH
• Lee KW
• Shin YT

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The progression of hydronephrosis due to urinary obstruction is one of major causes of end stage renal failure. The activation of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and renal cell apoptosis may be involved in this mechanisms. METHODS: In order to investigate the role of RAS in renal injury mechanism and renal expression of TGF-beta, bcl-2 and Fas in experimental unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model, 15 CBA strain mice were underwent sham operation (n=5), UUO without treatment (n=5) and UUO with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI, enalapril, n=5) under ethyl ether anesthesia. Each group was sacrificed at 72 hours after surgery. Competitive RT-PCR was performed for the estimation of renin, angiotensin II AT1 receptor (AT1 R), TGF-beta, bcl-2, Fas and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate-dehydrogenase (GAPDH) gene expression levels in the kidneys.
RESULTS
Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and renal gene expressions of renin and AT1 R in untreated control UUO group were significantly increased compared to sham operated group at 72 hours after surgery. The level of TGF-beta and bcl-2 gene expressions of ACEI treated UUO group was significantly lower than that of untreated UUO group. On the other hand, Fas gene expression of ACEI treated UUO group was not significantly different from that of ACEI untreated UUO group.
CONCLUSION
We speculate that the upregulation of bcl-2 and Fas gene expressions and the early activation of renin-angiotensin system of kidney are important factors of renal injury mechanism in this model. (Korean J Nephrol 2003;22(2): 174-184)

Keyword

Renin-angiotensin system; Ureteral obstruction; bcl-2; Fas

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia
Angiotensin II
Animals
Apoptosis
Blood Pressure
Enalapril
Ether
Gene Expression
Genes, bcl-2
Hand
Hydronephrosis
Kidney
Mice
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Renal Insufficiency
Renin
Renin-Angiotensin System*
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Up-Regulation
Ureter*
Ureteral Obstruction*
Angiotensin II
Enalapril
Ether
Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A
Renin
Transforming Growth Factor beta