High Glucose Increases Metallothionein Expression in Kidney Cells
Author Information
Author(s): Daisuke Ogawa, Masato Asanuma, Ikuko Miyazaki, Hiromi Tachibana, Jun Wada, Norio Sogawa, Takeshi Sugaya, Shinji Kitamura, Yohei Maeshima, Kenichi Shikata, Hirofumi Makino
Primary Institution: Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences
Hypothesis
High glucose induces the expression of metallothionein in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells as a response to oxidative stress.
Conclusion
The study found that high glucose levels increase metallothionein expression in kidney cells, suggesting it may help protect against diabetic nephropathy.
Supporting Evidence
- MT-1/-2 expression was significantly increased in diabetic rats compared to control rats.
- High glucose stimulation led to increased MT-1/-2 expression in cultured kidney cells.
- Vitamin E pretreatment suppressed the high glucose-induced expression of MT-1/-2.
Takeaway
When there's too much sugar in the blood, a special protein in kidney cells goes up to help protect them from damage.
Methodology
Diabetes was induced in rats, and metallothionein expression was evaluated in kidney tissues and a cell line under high glucose conditions.
Limitations
The study did not investigate the effects of vitamin E treatment in diabetic rats and the role of other antioxidants remains unclear.
Participant Demographics
Adult male Sprague Dawley rats were used in the study.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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