Korean J Urol.  2006 Feb;47(2):189-194. 10.4111/kju.2006.47.2.189.

The Protein Expressions of Apoptosis-associated Genes in the Obstructed Ureters of Rats

• Kim HG
• Paick SH
• Lho YS
• Kim HH
• Kwak C

• KMID: 2294200
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2006.47.2.189

Abstract

PURPOSE: The role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of ureteral damage from obstructive uropathy has rarely been studied. This study was performed to determine the protein expression of the apoptosis-associated genes in the pathogenesis of ureteral damage during the course of obstructive uropathy in ligated rat ureters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
After unilateral ligation of the ureter, each group of five Sprague-Dawley rats was sacrificed and examined at 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 days after ligation: five rats with normal ureters were also examined as controls. The protein expressions of the fas-associated death domain (FADD), Bax, Bcl-xL and cyclooxygenases (COX)-2 genes in obstructed ureters were assessed by performing Western blotting.
RESULTS
The expressions of FADD protein in the 20 and 25 day-obstructed ureters (DOUs) were significantly higher than that in control ureters and the peak was reached in the 25 DOUs. The expressions of Bcl-xL protein in the 20, 25 and 30 DOUs were significantly higher than that in the control ureters and the peak was reached in the 25 DOUs. The expression of COX-2 protein in the 5, 10, 15, 25 DOUs were significantly higher than that in the control ureters and the peak was reached in the 10 DOUs.
CONCLUSIONS
The FADD and Bcl-xL genes were involved in apoptosis of the obstructed ureter. The peaks of their expressions were at 25 DOUs. The expression of the COX-2 gene may be related with apoptosis in the obstructed ureter.

Keyword

Ureteral obstruction; Apoptosis; Rats

MeSH Terms

Animals
Apoptosis
bcl-X Protein
Blotting, Western
Ligation
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Ureter*
Ureteral Obstruction
Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases
bcl-X Protein

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Fas-associated death domain (FADD) protein expression in the completely obstructed rat uretes. (A) Protein is extracted from the ureters before and at several time points after obstruction, and it is analyzed for the FADD and actin levels by Western blotting. (B) The relative amount of FADD protein is normalized against actin protein. The expressions of FADD protein in the 20, 25 day-obstructed ureters (DOUs) are significantly higher than that in the control ureters and the peak was reached in the 25 DOUs. *: p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 2 The Bcl-xL protein expression in the completely obstructed rat ureters. (A) Protein is extracted from ureters before and at several time points after obstruction, and it is analyzed for the Bcl-xL and actin levels by Western blotting. (B) The relative amount of Bcl-xL protein is normalized against actin protein. The expressions of Bcl-xL protein in the 20, 25 and 30 DOUs are significantly higher than that in the control ureters and the peak is reached in the 25 DOUs. *: p<0.05.

• 

  Fig. 3 Cyclooxygenases (COX)-2 protein expression in the completely obstructed rat ureters. (A) Protein is extracted from ureters before and at several time points after obstruction, and it is analyzed for the COX-2 and actin levels by Western blotting. (B) The relative amount of COX-2 protein is normalized against actin protein. The expressions of COX-2 protein in the 5, 10, 15 and 25 DOUs is significantly higher than that in the control ureters and the peak is reached in the 10 DOUs. *: p<0.05, †: p>0.05.

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