Hypermetabolism of glutathione, glutamate and ornithine via redox imbalance in methylglyoxal-induced peritoneal injury rats.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a blood purification treatment for patients with reduced renal function. However, the peritoneum is exposed to oxidative stress during PD and long-term PD results in peritoneal damage, leading to the termination of PD. Methylglyoxal (MGO) contained in commercial PD fluids is a source of strong oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of MGO-induced peritoneal injury using metabolome analysis in rats. We prepared peritoneal fibrosis rats by intraperitoneal administration of PD fluids containing MGO for 21 days. As a result, MGO-induced excessive proliferation of mesenchymal cells with an accumulation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) at the surface of the thickened peritoneum in rats. The effluent levels of methionine sulfoxide, an oxidative stress marker and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased in the MGO-treated rats. The levels of glutathione, glutamate, aspartate, ornithine and AGEs were also increased in these rats. MGO upregulated the gene expression of transporters and enzymes related to the metabolism of glutathione, glutamate and ornithine in the peritoneum. These results suggest that MGO may induce peritoneal injury with mesenchymal cell proliferation via increased redox metabolism, directly or through the formation of AGEs during PD.

Detection of microRNA Expression in Peritoneal Membrane of Rats Using Quantitative Real-time PCR.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate messenger RNA expression post-transcriptionally. The miRNA expression profile has been investigated in various organs and tissues in rat. However, standard methods for the purification of miRNAs and detection of their expression in rat peritoneal membrane have not been well established. We have developed an effective and reliable method to purify and quantify miRNAs using quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in rat peritoneal membrane. This protocol consists of four steps: 1) purification of peritoneal membrane sample; 2) purification of total RNA including miRNA from peritoneal membrane sample; 3) reverse transcription of miRNA to produce cDNA; and 4) qRT-PCR to detect miRNA expression. Using this protocol, we successfully determined that the expression of six miRNAs (miRNA-142-3p, miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-221-3p, miRNA-223-3p, miRNA-327, and miRNA-34a-5p) increased significantly in the peritoneal membrane of a rat peritoneal fibrosis model compared with those in control groups. This protocol can be used to study the profile of miRNA expression in the peritoneal membrane of rats in many pathological conditions.

The association between soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in drained dialysate and peritoneal injury in peritoneal dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic inflammation of the peritoneum causes peritoneal injury in patients on peritoneal dialysis. Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and its circulating form, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1, play pivotal roles in inflammation. However, their role in peritoneal injury is unclear. METHODS: We measured changes in intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in the peritoneum of a peritoneal injury model in rats. The associations between soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in drained dialysate and the solute transport rate (D/P-Cr and D/D0-glucose) determined by the peritoneal equilibration test, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in drained dialysate were investigated in 94 peritoneal drained dialysate samples. RESULTS: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression was increased in the peritoneum of rats with peritoneal injury. Soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in drained dialysate were significantly positively correlated with D/P-Cr (r = .51, p < .01) and inversely correlated with D/D0-glucose (r = -.44, p < .01). They were also significantly positively correlated with matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels in drained dialysate (r = .86, p < .01). CONCLUSIONS: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1expression is increased in the peritoneum of a peritoneal injury model in the rat, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels in drained dialysate are associated with peritoneal injury in patients on peritoneal dialysis. These results suggest that soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 could be a novel biomarker of peritoneal injury in patients on peritoneal dialysis.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 as a superior biomarker for peritoneal deterioration in peritoneal dialysis.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of effluent biomarkers for peritoneal deterioration with functional decline in peritoneal dialysis (PD). METHODS: From January 2005 to March 2013, the subjects included 218 PD patients with end-stage renal disease at 18 centers. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), interleukin-6 (IL-6), hyaluronan, and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in peritoneal effluent were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Peritoneal solute transport rate was assessed by peritoneal equilibration test (PET) to estimate peritoneal deterioration. RESULTS: The ratio of the effluent level of creatinine (Cr) obtained 4 h after injection (D) to that of plasma was correlated with the effluent levels of MMP-2 (ρ = 0.74, P < 0.001), IL-6 (ρ = 0.46, P < 0.001), and hyaluronan (ρ = 0.27, P < 0.001), but not CA125 (ρ = 0.13, P = 0.051). The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for the effluent levels of MMP-2, IL-6, and hyaluronan against high PET category were 0.90, 0.78, 0.62, and 0.51, respectively. No patient developed new-onset encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis for at least 1.5 years after peritoneal effluent sampling. CONCLUSION: The effluent MMP-2 level most closely reflected peritoneal solute transport rate. MMP-2 can be a reliable indicator of peritoneal deterioration with functional decline.

MicroRNA expression profiling in peritoneal fibrosis.

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an intractable complication leading to peritoneal membrane failure in peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs) involved in PF. Peritoneal tissue from a PF rat model was screened for miRNA expression using microarray analysis. The expression levels of differentially expressed miRNAs were evaluated in serum and drained dialysate and associated with peritoneal membrane functions, as measured by the peritoneal equilibrium test in 33 PD patients. Furthermore, an miRNA inhibitor (anti-miRNA-21-5p locked nucleic acid (LNA): anti-miRNA-21-LNA) was intraperitoneally injected to PF model mice to investigate its effects on PF. The initial profiling study of PF rat peritoneal tissue identified 6 miRNAs (miRNA-142-3p, miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-221-3p, miRNA-223-3p, miRNA-34a-5p, and miRNA-327) whose expression was increased more than 2-fold and no miRNAs whose expression was decreased more than half. Among them, serum levels of miRNA-21-5p, miRNA-221-3p, and miRNA-327 and drained dialysate levels of miRNA-221-3p and miRNA-34a-5p were significantly correlated with peritoneal membrane functions in PD patients. Anti-miRNA-21-LNA significantly inhibited miRNA-21-5p expression in the PF mouse peritoneum, inhibited peritoneal fibrous thickening, and maintained peritoneal membrane functions. These results suggest that several miRNAs are involved in PF and that they may be useful as novel diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PF.

HIF-1α mediates Hypoxia-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in peritoneal mesothelial cells.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of peritoneal mesothelial cells plays a pivotal role in the development of peritoneal fibrosis. The pathological effects of hypoxia on mesothelial cell EMT have not been fully elucidated. In this study, we, therefore, investigated the effects of hypoxia on EMT in mesothelial cells. Human mesothelial (MeT-5A) cells and primary-cultured rat mesothelial cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions (1% O(2)) for up to 72 h. Changes in cell type were then determined by investigating changes in morphology and in expression of epithelial (E-cadherin and occludin) and mesenchymal (fibronectin-1, vimentin and α-smooth muscle actin) cell markers. In some cases, MeT-5A cells were cultured under hypoxic conditions with a HIF-1α inhibitor and then assessed for changes in morphology and for altered expression of signaling molecules, such as HIF-1α, Snail-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2). Levels of HIF-1α, Snail-1, VEGF, and MMP-2 in Met-5A cells were increased by hypoxia. Levels of epithelial cell markers were decreased and those of mesenchymal cell markers were increased. Cell morphology also changed from a cobblestone-like monolayer to spindle-shaped fibroblast-like cells in response to hypoxia. Inhibition of HIF-1α signaling by a HIF-1α inhibitor abrogated these changes. The cell marker and morphological changes induced by hypoxia were also observed in primary-cultured rat mesothelial cells. We can conclude that hypoxia induces EMT in mesothelial cells by activating HIF-1α. This finding indicates that hypoxia has pivotal roles in the development of peritoneal fibrosis in peritoneal dialysis patients.

Attenuation of methylglyoxal-induced peritoneal fibrosis: immunomodulation by interleukin-10.

Peritoneal fibrosis (PF), a serious pathophysiology of peritoneal dialysis (PD), is implicated in various types of chronic inflammation. In the present study, we examined the benefits of interleukin (IL)-10, which exerts anti-inflammatory effects, in an experimental rat model of methylglyoxal (MGO)-induced PF. We injected an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector encoding rat IL-10 or enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP) into male Sprague-Dawley rats at 6 weeks of age. Four weeks later, the rats received continuous peritoneal injections of conventional PD fluid (PDF) with MGO for 3 weeks. Then, the peritoneal histology and the expression levels of fibrogenic mediators and proinflammatory cytokines were analyzed. The rats demonstrating persistent IL-10 expression showed significantly reduced fibrous peritoneal thickening compared with those with GFP expression. The infiltration of macrophages, the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, transforming growth factor-ß1, Snail, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 genes as well as the proliferation of mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells augmented by MGO were all significantly suppressed by IL-10 expression. IL-10 also abrogated the extent of MGO-induced bowel adhesions mimicking a cocoon-like mass. Our findings provide valuable insight into the potential benefit of immunomodulation with IL-10 as one potentially effective therapeutic strategy for preventing the onset of peritoneal injury resulting in PF.

Methylglyoxal Induced Basophilic Spindle Cells with Podoplanin at the Surface of Peritoneum in Rat Peritoneal Dialysis Model.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a common treatment for patients with reduced or absent renal function. Long-term PD leads to peritoneal injury with structural changes and functional decline. At worst, peritoneal injury leads to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), which is a serious complication of PD. In order to carry out PD safely, it is important to define the mechanism of progression of peritoneal injury and EPS. We prepared rat models of peritoneal injury by intraperitoneal administration of glucose degradation products, such as methylglyoxal (MGO) or formaldehyde (FA), chlorhexidine gluconate (CG), and talc. In rats treated with MGO, peritoneal fibrous thickening with the appearance of basophilic spindle cells with podoplanin, cytokeratin, and α-smooth muscle actin at the surface of the peritoneum was observed. These cells may have been derived from mesothelial cells by epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In FA- or CG-treated rats, the peritoneum was thickened, and mesothelial cells were absent at the surface of the peritoneum. The CG- or MGO-treated rats presented with a so-called abdominal cocoon. In the talc-treated rats, extensive peritoneal adhesion and peritoneal thickening were observed. MGO-induced peritoneal injury model may reflect human histopathology and be suitable to analyze the mechanism of progression of peritoneal injury and EPS.

Effluent Tenascin-C Levels Reflect Peritoneal Deterioration in Peritoneal Dialysis: MAJOR IN PD Study.

Peritoneal deterioration causing structural changes and functional decline is a major complication of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to explore effluent biomarkers reflecting peritoneal deterioration. In an animal study, rats were intraperitoneally administered with PD fluids adding 20 mM methylglyoxal (MGO) or 20 mM formaldehyde (FA) every day for 21 days. In the MGO-treated rats, tenascin-C (TN-C) levels in the peritoneal effluents were remarkably high and a cluster of TN-C-positive mesothelial cells with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition- (EMT-) like change excessively proliferated at the peritoneal surface, but not in the FA-treated rats. Effluent matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) levels increased in both the MGO- and FA-treated rats. In a clinical study at 18 centers between 2006 and 2013, effluent TN-C and MMP-2 levels were quantified in 182 PD patients with end-stage renal disease. Peritoneal function was estimated using the peritoneal equilibration test (PET). From the PET results, the D/P Cr ratio was correlated with effluent levels of TN-C (ρ = 0.57, p < 0.001) and MMP-2 (ρ = 0.73, p < 0.001). We suggest that TN-C in the effluents may be a diagnostic marker for peritoneal deterioration with EMT-like change in mesothelial cells in PD.

Peritoneal fibrosis induced by intraperitoneal methylglyoxal injection: the role of concurrent renal dysfunction.

BACKGROUND: Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is a serious pathophysiology of peritoneal dialysis (PD). An ongoing focus of research is the potential fibrogenic nature of methylglyoxal (MGO) in conventional PD fluid (PDF). The aim of the current study was to explore the effects of the uremic milieu on the promotion of PF by MGO using rats with adenine-induced renal failure (RF). METHODS: Adenine-treated Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive continuous peritoneal injections of PDF with or without MGO for three weeks or were left untreated for the same duration. Rats without RF were also assigned to three groups. The peritoneal histology and expression levels of type I collagen, transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1), α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA), Snail, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) and the receptor for AGE (RAGE) were then analyzed. RESULTS: Peritoneal treatment with 5 mM MGO accelerated the fibrous peritoneal thickening progression promoted by exposure to standard PDF in the rats with RF, but not in the rats with a normal renal function. Treatment with MGO significantly augmented the proliferation of mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells, accumulation of AGE, de novo expression of αSMA and RAGE and gene expression of type I collagen, TGF-ß1, Snail and MMP-2, whereas both MGO and RF alone had, at most, marginal effects on the changes in these biological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, the adverse effects of MGO on the peritoneum became more prominent under conditions of a uremic milieu. These findings imply that MGO and uremia act cooperatively to induce PF.

Matrix metalloproteinase-2 inhibition by temocapril and its important role in peritoneal transport.

1. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 plays an important role in tissue remodelling during peritoneal injury caused by peritoneal dialysis (PD), but MMP-2 inhibitors have not yet been used clinically. Recently, it was reported that captopril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), can inhibit MMP-2. 2. To investigate the potential usefulness of ACEI during PD, the molecular interaction between the MMP-2 active site and the active form of temocapril (temocaprilat) was investigated using molecular modelling. Furthermore, the effects of temocapril on MMP-2 activity in peritoneal effluents and the peritoneal solute transport rate of PD patients were determined. 3. Temocaprilat bound to the MMP-2 active centre and recognized two hydrophobic substrate-binding sites in the MMP-2 molecular model. Matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in peritoneal effluents was directly inhibited by temocaprilat (IC(50) 0.47 µmol/L). In one patient given temocapril, the peritoneal solute transport rate decreased gradually during PD. 4. Temocapril may prove to be an important candidate for development as a novel therapeutic agent for MMP-2 inhibition to prevent peritoneal injury caused by PD.

Level of 8-OHdG in drained dialysate appears to be a marker of peritoneal damage in peritoneal dialysis.

PURPOSE: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a successful renal replacement therapy; however, long-term PD leads to structural and functional peritoneal damage. Therefore, the monitoring and estimation of peritoneal function are important in PD patients. Oxidative stress has been implicated as one possible mechanism of peritoneal membrane damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between an oxidative stress marker, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and peritoneal damage in PD patients. METHODS: The authors evaluated 8-OHdG in drained dialysate by enzyme immunoassay to investigate the association between 8-OHdG and solute transport rate estimated by peritoneal equilibration test and matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) level in 45 samples from 28 PD patients. RESULTS: The 8-OHdG level was significantly correlated with dialysate:plasma creatine ratio (r = 0.463, P < 0.05) and significantly inversely correlated with D/D0 glucose (where D is the glucose level of peritoneal effluents obtained 4 hours after the injection and D0 is the glucose level obtained immediately after the injection) (r = -0.474, P < 0.05). The 8-OHdG level was also significantly correlated with MMP-2 level (r = 0.551, P < 0.05), but it was not correlated with the age of subjects, the duration of PD, or blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The level of 8-OHdG in drained dialysate may be a useful novel marker of peritoneal damage in PD.

Matrix metalloproteinase levels in peritoneal effluents were increased in a patient with appendicitis undergoing continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis.

A differential diagnosis of common bacterial peritonitis and appendicitis is difficult in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients, and thus the definite diagnosis of appendicitis is often delayed. In this case, a 60-year-old man undergoing CAPD was at first diagnosed with bacterial peritonitis but not appendicitis, and antibiotics were administered. The number of leukocytes in the peritoneal effluent decreased mildly, but the level of C-reactive protein continued to be high and the pain aggravated. When the catheter was removed, suppurative appendicitis was confirmed for the first time. Levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in peritoneal effluents were markedly high. Appendicitis should be diagnosed as early as possible because MMPs directly injure the peritoneum via degradation of extracellular matrix proteins. Future studies in a greater numbers of cases of appendicitis are required.

Matrix metalloproteinase 2 induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition in proximal tubules from the luminal side and progresses fibrosis in mineralocorticoid/salt-induced hypertensive rats.

OBJECTIVES: Excess mineralocorticoids such as deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) together with salt are known to cause tubulointerstitial fibrosis, but the mechanisms underlying fibrosis progression are unclear. Therefore, we investigated the role of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition and fibrosis progression. METHODS: Uninephrectomized rats drank 0.9% NaCl and 0.3% KCl solution and were treated with DOCA alone, DOCA + spironolactone, or vehicle for 1, 4, or 8 weeks. SBP, kidney function and morphology, and kidney and urine MMP2 activity were compared among the groups. RESULTS: At week 4, the DOCA-treated group exhibited hypertension, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, increased MMP2 activity in the kidney and urine, and overexpression of MMP2 in proximal tubule cells and MMP14 in apical membranes; these results were more pronounced at week 8. At week 8, the proximal tubule cell apicolateral surface proteins villin, claudin 2, and E-cadherin were downregulated, and the mesenchymal marker α-smooth muscle actin was upregulated in the tubulointerstitium of DOCA-treated rats. These DOCA/salt-induced changes (except for hypertension) and fibrosis progression observed at week 8 were reversed by TISAM (a selective MMP2 inhibitor), which was administered from week 4 to week 8. All of the effects of DOCA/salt at week 8 were attenuated by spironolactone. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of treatment with DOCA/salt activated MMP2, primarily on the apical surface of proximal tubule cells, which induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition from the luminal side and promoted tubulointerstitial fibrosis progression. These MMP2-induced changes occurred via downstream processes regulated by mineralocorticoid receptors.

DNA microarray analysis of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition of mesothelial cells in a rat model of peritoneal dialysis.

Long-term peritoneal dialysis induces peritoneal hyperpermeability, and the subsequent loss of ultra-filtration causes patients to discontinue peritoneal dialysis. Glucose degradation products (GDPs) in peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) are probably one of the primary causes for peritoneal injury. In the present study, we used a transcriptome analysis to determine the mechanism of peritoneal injury by GDPs. Rats were administered 20 mmol/L methylglyoxal (MGO) in PDF or 20 mmol/L formaldehyde in PDF (100 mL/kg) intraperitoneally for 21 days. The peritoneal membrane in rats that received MGO showed increased thickness and fibrosis. Mesenchymal-like cells over-proliferated on the surface of the peritoneum. A DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of 168 genes had increased by more than a factor of 4. The upregulated genes included those that code for extracellular matrix components (such as types III and lV collagen, among others), cell division cycle 42 (Cdc42), an enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein-like protein [Ena/VASP (Evl)], and actin-related protein 2/3 complex subunits (Arp2/3). In conclusion, a rat model of peritoneal injury by GDPs induced mesothelial cells to redifferentiate and proliferate, with upregulation of Cdc42, the Evl Ena/VASP, and Arp2/3, suggesting that GDPs induce fibrous thickening of the peritoneal membrane by redifferentiation of mesothelial cells, resulting in hyperpermeability of the peritoneum.

Matrix metalloproteinase levels in the drained dialysate reflect the peritoneal solute transport rate: a multicentre study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leads to peritoneal injury with high solute transport of the peritoneal membrane. At worst, peritoneal injury leads to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis with an extremely high mortality rate. To perform PD safely and adequately, it is necessary to monitor peritoneal injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) as new indicators of peritoneal injury. METHODS: The subjects included 215 PD patients with end-stage renal disease at 20 centres in Japan. MMPs or tissue inhibitors of MMP (TIMPs) in the drained dialysate were quantified with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The peritoneal solute transport rate was assessed to estimate peritoneal injury and PD efficiency by the peritoneal equilibration test (PET). RESULTS: MMP-2, MMP-3 and TIMP-1 levels in the drained dialysate obtained by the PET were correlated with the D/P Cr ratios (ρ = 0.69, ρ = 0.52, ρ = 0.55, respectively) and the D/D0 glucose ratios (ρ = -0.60, ρ = -0.47, ρ = -0.48, respectively). The measured D/S ratios of MMP-2 and TIMP-1 were significantly higher than the expected D/S ratios when MMP-2 and TIMP-1 would have been transported from only the circulation. The measured D/S ratios of MMP-3 nearly corresponded to the expected ratios. MMP-1 and TIMP-2 in the drainage were undetected in most patients. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, most MMP-2 in the drained dialysate may be produced from the peritoneum, and MMP-2 is expected to be a useful marker of peritoneal injury or change in peritoneal solute transport.

Captopril directly inhibits matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis therapy.

BACKGROUND: Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 plays an important role in tissue remodeling related to inflammation during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) therapy. But its inhibitors were not applied clinically. We determined whether an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, captopril, inhibits MMP-2 activity in peritoneal effluents from patients on CAPD, and simulated molecular models of the MMP-2-captopril complex. METHODS: The inhibitory effect of captopril on MMP-2 activity was measured in peritoneal effluents from 17 patients on CAPD. Molecular models of the MMP-2-captopril complex were simulated by 1000 iterations of random docking and energy minimization. RESULTS: Captopril directly inhibited MMP-2 activity in peritoneal effluents from patients on CAPD (IC50; 48 micromol/l), and that captopril binding to the MMP-2 active site could be formed in each complex model without molecular distortion. CONCLUSION: ACE inhibitors, such as captopril, may be applied as important compounds for MMP-2 inhibition in inflammation caused by CAPD.

Methylglyoxal induces peritoneal thickening by mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells in rats.

BACKGROUND: The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of mesothelial cells was observed in patients on peritoneal dialysis and may be involved in peritoneal thickening. Conventional peritoneal dialysis fluids (PDFs) that contain glucose degradation products (GDPs), such as methylglyoxal (MGO) and formaldehyde (FA), are bioincompatible. The aim of this study is to analyse the participation of EMT in peritoneal thickening induced by GDPs in rats. METHODS: Rat mesothelial cells were cultured with various GDPs, and the gene expression of Snail was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sprague-Dawley rats were administered intraperitoneally 20 mM MGO/PDFs, 20 mM FA/PDFs or 0.1% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHX)/15% ethanol/saline every day for 21 days. On Day 22, the expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), collagen 1, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), Snail and receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) was analysed by PCR, enzyme-linked immunoassay or immunohistological staining. RESULTS: In cell-culture experiments, the expression of Snail was enhanced by MGO, but not FA. In rats treated with 20 mM MGO, peritoneal fibrous thickening with the proliferation of mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells was observed. The expression of TGF-beta, collagen 1, MMP-2, VEGF, Snail and RAGE increased significantly (P < 0.01). In FA- or CHX-treated rats, the peritoneum was thickened with sparse collagen fibres, but mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: MGO induced peritoneal fibrous thickening with the proliferation of mesenchymal-like mesothelial cells in vivo. These cells may be transdifferentiated from mesothelial cells by EMT via Snail and play an important role in peritoneal fibrous thickening.

The potential of matrix metalloproteinase-2 as a marker of peritoneal injury, increased solute transport, or progression to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis during peritoneal dialysis--a multicentre study in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Long-term peritoneal dialysis (PD) leads to peritoneal injury. At worst, peritoneal injury leads to encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS), which is a serious complication of PD. The mortality rate of EPS is extremely high. To perform PD safely, monitoring of peritoneal injury that leads to EPS is a necessity. METHODS: A total of 444 PD patients with end-stage renal disease at 60 centres in Japan were analysed (sex, 54% males; median age, 56 years; median PD duration, 55 months). Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in the peritoneal effluents were analysed with gelatin zymography or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cells expressing MMP-2 in the peritoneal tissue were investigated immunohistologically with anti-MMP-2 antibodies. Peritoneal solute transport was assessed with the peritoneal equilibration test (PET). RESULTS: The MMP-2 levels in peritoneal effluents obtained with the PET were significantly correlated with the D/P Cr ratio (R = 0.69, P < 0.001) and the D/D0 glucose ratio (R = -0.59, P < 0.001). The MMP-2 levels in patients with mild peritoneal injury, moderate peritoneal injury, severe peritoneal injury (EPS) and infectious peritonitis were significantly higher than those in control patients (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). MMP-2 was produced by myofibroblast-like mesenchymal cells and macrophages in the peritoneum. The peritoneal effluents from patients with infectious peritonitis showed strong MMP-9 signals. CONCLUSIONS: From these results, MMP-2 levels in peritoneal effluents reflect peritoneal solute transport and changes in MMP-2 levels are associated with peritoneal injury that leads to EPS. MMP-2 may be a useful marker of peritoneal injury, increased solute transport or progression to EPS.

Endothelin(B) receptor blocker inhibits high glucose-induced synthesis of fibronectin in human peritoneal mesothelial cells.

BACKGROUND: Long-term peritoneal dialysis using glucose-based dialysates is associated with peritoneal fibrosis. The object of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that endothelin (ET)-1, which is known to play an important role in various fibrotic diseases, may also be involved in peritoneal fibrosis using human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMC). METHODS: HPMC were cultured with 4% D- or L-glucose, or loaded with 10 nmol/L ET-1. In some experiments, the ETA receptor antagonist BQ-123, the ETB receptor antagonist BQ-788, and antioxidants 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl-piperidine 1-oxyl (TEMPOL) and diphenyleneiodium chloride (DPI) were used. mRNA expression of ET-1, ETA receptor, ETB receptor, and fibronectin (FN) was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). The protein levels for FN and ET-1 were measured by ELISA. CM-H2DCFDA-sensitive reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated by flow cytometry. RESULTS: D-Glucose significantly induced mRNA expression of ET-1 and the ETB receptor but not the ETA receptor. FN production under high glucose conditions was inhibited by BQ-788. ET-1 directly stimulated H PMC to increase mRNA expression of FN and CM-H2DCFDA-sensitive ROS production. BQ-788, TEMPOL, and DPI inhibited mRNA expression of FN induced by ET-1. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that high-glucose-induced FN synthesis is mediated by the ET-1/ETB receptor pathway and, therefore, an ETB receptor antagonist may be usefulin preventing FN production in HPMC.