Heme oxygenase-1 induction by hemin prevents oxidative stress-induced acute cholestasis in the rat.

We previously demonstrated in in vitro and ex vivo models that physiological concentrations of unconjugated bilirubin (BR) prevent oxidative stress (OS)-induced hepatocanalicular dysfunction and cholestasis. Here, we aimed to ascertain, in the whole rat, whether a similar cholestatic OS injury can be counteracted by heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) induction that consequently elevates endogenous BR levels. This was achieved through the administration of hemin, an inducer of HO-1, the rate-limiting step in BR generation. We found that BR peaked between 6 and 8 h after hemin administration. During this time period, HO-1 induction fully prevented the pro-oxidant tert-butylhydroperoxide (tBuOOH)-induced drop in bile flow, and in the biliary excretion of bile salts and glutathione, the two main driving forces of bile flow; this was associated with preservation of the membrane localization of their respective canalicular transporters, bile salt export pump (Bsep) and multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2), which are otherwise endocytosed by OS. HO-1 induction counteracted the oxidation of intracellular proteins and membrane lipids induced by tBuOOH, and fully prevented the increase in the oxidized-to-total glutathione (GSHt) ratio, a sensitive parameter of hepatocellular OS. Compensatory elevations of the activity of the antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were also prevented. We conclude that in vivo HO-1 induction protects the liver from acute oxidative injury, thus preventing consequent cholestasis. This reveals an important role for the induction of HO-1 and the consequently elevated levels of BR in preserving biliary secretory function under OS conditions, thus representing a novel therapeutic tool to limit the cholestatic injury that bears an oxidative background.

Evaluation of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase as a marker of early renal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical usefulness of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion for the detection of early tubular damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Thirty six patients with T2DM were divided into two groups based on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR): normoalbuminuria (ACR <30 mg/g; n=19) and microalbuminuria (ACR =30-300 mg/g; n=17). The following parameters were determined in both groups: urinary NAG and albumin, serum and urine creatinine, fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). RESULTS: Urinary NAG levels [Units/g creatinine; median (range)] were significantly increased in microalbuminuria group [17.0 (5.9 - 23.3)] compared to normoalbuminuria group [4.4 (1.5 - 9.2)] (P<0.001). No differences between groups were observed in fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). Urinary NAG positively correlated with ACR (r=0.628; p<0.0001), while no significant association was observed between NAG and glycemia, HbA1c, serum creatinine and eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of urinary NAG at the microalbuminuria stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN) suggests that tubular dysfunction is already present in this period. The significant positive association between urinary NAG excretion and ACR indicates the possible clinical application of urinary NAG as a complementary marker for early detection of DN in T2DM.

Evaluation of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase as a marker of early renal damage in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / Avaliação da N-acetil-beta-D-glucosaminidase urinária como marcador de dano renal precoce em pacientes com diabetes melito tipo 2

Objective To evaluate the clinical usefulness of urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) excretion for the detection of early tubular damage in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Subjects and methods Thirty six patients with T2DM were divided into two groups based on urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR): normoalbuminuria (ACR <30 mg/g; n=19) and microalbuminuria (ACR =30‐300 mg/g; n=17). The following parameters were determined in both groups: urinary NAG and albumin, serum and urine creatinine, fasting plasma glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Results Urinary NAG levels [Units/g creatinine; median (range)] were significantly increased in microalbuminuria group [17.0 (5.9 - 23.3)] compared to normoalbuminuria group [4.4 (1.5 - 9.2)] (P<0.001). No differences between groups were observed in fasting glucose, HbA1c, serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR). Urinary NAG positively correlated with ACR (r=0.628; p<0.0001), while no significant association was observed between NAG and glycemia, HbA1c, serum creatinine and eGFR. Conclusions The increase of urinary NAG at the microalbuminuria stage of diabetic nephropathy (DN) suggests that tubular dysfunction is already present in this period. The significant positive association between urinary NAG excretion and ACR indicates the possible clinical application of urinary NAG as a complementary marker for early detection of DN in T2DM. .

Objetivo Avaliar a utilidade clínica da excreção urinária da N-acetil-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG) para a detecção de dano tubular precoce no diabetes melito tipo 2 (DM2). Sujeitos e métodos Foram estudados trinta e seis pacientes com DM2 que se dividiram em dois grupos com base na excreção urinária de albumina (EUA): normoalbuminúrico (EUA <30 mg/g de creatinina; n=19) e microalbuminúrico (EUA =30‐300 mg/g de creatinina; n=17). Em ambos os grupos foram determinados os seguintes parâmetros: NAG e albumina urinária, creatinina sérica e urinária, glicemia de jejum e hemoglobina glicada (HbA1c). Resultados Os níveis de NAG urinária [unidades/g de creatinina; mediana (intervalo interquartílico)] foram significativamente maiores no grupo microalbuminúrico [17,0 (5,9 - 23,3)] em comparação com o grupo normoalbuminúrico [4,4 (1,5 - 9,2)] (p<0,001). Não se observaram diferenças significativas entre os dois grupos nos níveis de glicemia de jejum, HbA1c, creatinina sérica e taxa de filtração glomerular estimada (TFGe). A NAG urinária se correlacionou positivamente com o EUA (r=0,628, p<0,0001), não sendo observada associação significativa da NAG com glicemia, HbA1c, creatinina sérica e TFGe. Conclusões O aumento da NAG urinária na fase de microalbuminúria da nefropatia diabética (ND) sugere que a disfunção tubular já está presente nesse período. A associação positiva significativa entre a excreção urinária da NAG e EUA indica a possível aplicação clínica da NAG urinária como marcador complementar para a detecção precoce da ND no DM2. .