Effects of zinc deficiency on the expression of endothelin-1 in glomeruli of rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction

Abstract

In the present study, we examined the expression of endothelin (ET) -1 and a role of angiotensin II in glomeruli from rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) fed a zinc (Zn) deficiency or a standard diet. The expression of ET-1 was substantially potentiated in glomeruli of the obstructed kidney (OK) from rats with UUO fed a Zn deficiency v.s. a standard diet. No expression of ET-1, however, was observed in glomeruli of the contralateral, non-obstructed kidney from rats with UUO fed a Zn deficiency or a standard diet. Prior administration of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, enalapril markedly decreased the enhanced expression of ET-1 observed in glomeruli of the OK from rats with UUO fed a Zn deficiency diet. Indeed, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is known to be activated after the onset of ureteral obstruction. These findings suggest that Zn deficiency intensifies the expression of ET-1 in glomeruli of the OK from rats with UUO by further enhancing the RAS upregulated after the onset of ureteral obstruction.