Effects of Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 on Renal Damage in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

Aims: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in the inflammatory process and immune response. The aim of the study was to investigate ICAM-1 expression in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and the relationship between the level of ICAM-1 and renal damage. Methods: Male Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rat and SHR models were employed. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded using tail cuff method. Twenty-four hour proteinuria and β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) were measured using biuret method and radioimmunity kits, respectively. Biochemical parameters were measured after the animals were killed. ICAM-1 expression in renal tissue was assessed using western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: It was observed that BP, proteinuria, and urine β₂-MG were more increased in SHR groups than that in the same age WKY groups. In SHR groups, BP, proteinuria, and urine β₂-MG at the 56th week were significantly higher than that at the 28th week. ICAM-1 protein and mRNA expression in SHR renal tissues was significantly increased in SHR groups compared with the same age in WKY rats. ICAM-l expression was positively correlated with proteinuria and urine β₂-MG. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the renal expression of ICAM-1 was increased in SHR with renal damage, and inflammation may be involved in the hypertensive renal damage.

• intercellular adhesion molecule-1
• inflammation
• hypertensive renal damage
• proteinuria
• hypertension
• spontaneously hypertensive rats

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thank Dr. Zhengping Pan for his technical assistance and his skilful assistance in handling experimental animals. This work was supported by grants from Nantong Natural Science Foundation (no. S2009062).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.