title: [The toxic effects of lead acetate on the apoptosis and the ultrastructure in human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2)].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the toxic effects of lead acetate on the apoptosis and ultrastructure of human renal tubular epithelial cells (HK-2).
  
  
  METHODS
  After HK-2 cells were exposed to 5, 10 and 20 µmol/L lead acetate for 24 h, the morphological changes of HK-2 cells were observed by Hochest 33342-PI staining, and the ultrastructure changes of HK-2 cells were examined under a electron microscope, LDH activity and MDA content in supernatant of HK-2 cellular culture were detected by spectrophotometer, DNA damage of HK-2 was determined by DNA ladder and the apoptotic rates of HK-2 cells were measured by flow cytometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The morphological changes of apoptotic HK-2 cells in exposure group were observed by Hochest 33342-PI staining. The cytoplasm vacuoles, karyopycnosis, nuclear membrane vague and apoptotic bodies in HK-2 cells of exposure group were found under electron microscopy. LDH activity and MDA contents in exposure group increased significantly, as compared to control group (P < 0.01). The results of DNA Ladder showed that DNA damage of HK-2 cells in exposure group appeared. The apoptotic rates of HK-2 cells exposed to 5, 10, 20 µmol/L lead acetate were 14.16% ± 2.94%, 19.45% ± 2.73%, 25.01% ± 3.97%, respectively, which were significantly higher than that (5.81% ± 2.18%) in control group (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lead acetate could remarkably induce the apoptosis of HK-2 cells and affect the kidney.
authors.affiliation: Experimental Center of Medicine, Lanzhou General Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA, Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Gene Drug in Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: Xiao-Qin
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Ha
authors.forename: Xiao-Peng
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Ye-Wei
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Zhi-Hua
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006801:Humans; D007687:Kidney Tubules, Proximal / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C008261:lead acetate