mRNA expression for insulin-like growth factor 1, receptors of growth hormone and IGF-1 and transforming growth factor-beta in the kidney and liver of Zucker rats.
Kidney dysfunction and mesangial enlargement are consequences of obesity found in Zucker rats. This study examines some of the early mechanisms by which the kidneys of Zucker rats undergo these changes. Our study shows that the glomerular planar area in the genetically obese Zucker rat undergo enlargement as early as 12 weeks of life, compared to the lean controls. This suggests mesangial proliferation is already occurring at this time, earlier than previously shown. The mRNA expression for IGF-I, and GHR in the kidney and liver of the obese Zucker rats were significantly reduced compared to the lean controls. However, the mRNA of the IGF-IR was significantly elevated in the kidney of the obese Zucker rats. The increase in kidney IGF-1R mRNA in the obese Zucker rat may suggest an increase in IGF-1 binding leading to the kidney hypertrophy observed in these rats.
Chan
W
W
Nephrology Division, Departments of Pediatrics and Biochemistry Molecular Biophysics, Virginia Commonwealth University's Medical College of Virginia Campus, PO Box 980498, 23298-0498, Richmond, VA, USA
Wang
M
M
Martin
R J.
RJ
Trachtman
H
H
Hisano
S
S
Chan
J C.M.
JC