Biomedicines
The Role of Uncoupling Protein 2 in Renal Adaptation to Hypertension: Mechanistic Insights
By Sperhake J, Schreckenberg R, Sato T and 1 others.
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Hypertension leads to chronic kidney disease, and downregulation of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) is part of this process. Using UCP2 knockout rats and L-NAME-induced hypertension may identify potential mechanistic insights that couple UCP2 downregulation with renal dysfunction.
Methods
L-NAME induced hypertension maintained for four weeks in wild-type (WT) and UCP2-depleted rats (KO). Renal function was analyzed by blood urea nitrogen concentration, urinary albumin-creatinine ratio, and urine concentration of the tubule disease marker kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1). The expression of genes linked to carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, components of the renin-angiotensin system, or oxidative stress were analyzed by qRT-PCR. Key findings were confirmed by Western blot. Oxidative stress was analyzed by dihydroethidium staining.