ABSTRACT
The ICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse, a novel inbred mouse strain with a hereditary nephrotic syndrome, develops severe anemia associated with chronic renal failure. To reveal the pathogenic mechanism of anemia in ICGN mice, we subcutaneously administered recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO; 5 IU/mouse/day) or saline for 5 days to ICGN mice. In terminal-stage ICGN mice with severe anemia, rhEPO significantly increased hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC) and hemoglobin levels. Endogenous EPO levels in peripheral blood were reduced by rhEPO injection. No histopathological changes in bone marrow and kidneys were induced by rhEPO injection. Insufficiency of EPO may cause anemia in ICGN mice.
Subject(s)
Anemia/drug therapy , Erythropoietin/therapeutic use , Glomerulonephritis/drug therapy , Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy , Anemia/etiology , Animals , Bone Marrow/pathology , Disease Models, Animal , Erythrocyte Count , Female , Glomerulonephritis/complications , Hematocrit , Hemoglobins , Injections, Subcutaneous , Kidney/pathology , Kidney Failure, Chronic/etiology , Male , Mice , Mice, Inbred ICR , Recombinant ProteinsABSTRACT
The ICR-derived glomerulonephritis (ICGN) mouse, a new inbred mouse strain with a hereditary nephrotic syndrome, is considered to be a good model of human idiopathic nephrotic syndrome and notably exhibits proteinuria and hypoproteinemia from the neonatal stage. In chronic renal disorder (CRD), anemia is a major subsequent symptom (renal anemia). The precise cause of renal anemia remains unclear, primarily owing to the lack of appropriate spontaneous animal models for CRD. To establish adequate animal models for anemia with CRD, we examined the hematological-biochemical properties and histopathological characteristics. With the deterioration of renal function, ICGN mice developed a normochromic and normocytic anemia, and exhibited normochromic and microcytic at the terminal stage. The expression of erythropoietin (EPO) mRNA both in the kidneys and liver and the EPO leak into the urine were observed in ICGN mice, indicating a disrupted metabolism of EPO in ICGN mice. In addition, a lack of iron induced by the hemolysis in the spleen and the leak of transferrin into urine as proteinuria aggravated the anemic condition. In conclusion, the ICGN mouse is a good model for anemia with CRD.