[Effects of methylprednisolone (MPS) on induction of apoptosis and expression of interleukin-1 beta-converting enzyme (ICE) in the kidneys of MRL-LPR/LPR mice].
MPS pulse therapy is quite effective for the treatment of lupus nephritis. At present, no research work has been reported on the relationship between MPS therapy and apoptosis and ICE expression in kidneys with lupus nephritis. We investigated the effects of MPS on the number of apoptotic cells and expression of ICE mRNA in the kidneys of fourmonth-old MRL-lpr/lpr mice, by means of image analysis system, RT-PCR and Northern blot. The results showed that in MPS group, the number of apoptotic cells in glomerular mesangium increased significantly, as compared with that of a control group (P < 0.05). Besides, the number of apoptotic cells in both the peri-tubule cells and peri-vascular infiltrating cells was also higher in MPS group than in the control group (both P < 0.01). Furthermore, higher expression of ICE mRNA was found in the treated group than in the control group. Our results suggest that MPS may induce both apoptosis and ICE mRNA expression in kidneys with nephritis, implying that apoptosis may be involved in the outcome of lupus nephritis treated with MPS.
Wang
J
J
Department of Nephrology, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing.
Liao
H
H
Chen
X
X
D000818:Animals; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D051379:Mice; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011897:Random Allocation
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D020170:Caspase 1; D008775:Methylprednisolone