title: Cross-talk between AMP-activated protein kinase and renin-angiotensin system in uninephrectomised rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The renal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) and the ultrasensitive energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) have been implicated in normal and aberrant states of the kidney, but interaction between the RAS and AMPK remains unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety-six rats were stratified into four groups: sham, uninephrectomised, uninephrectomised rats treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor lisinopril or the angiotensin receptor blocker losartan. Histopathological examination at 9 months post-operation and biochemical measurements at 3, 6 and 9 months were performed for changes in renal structure and function. The expression of AMPK and angiotensin II at 9 months was detected by immunofluorescence microscopy and western blot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with sham rats, uninephrectomised rats demonstrated progressive glomerulosclerosis, tubular atrophy with cast formation and chronic inflammatory infiltration, in parallel to elevated serum urea, creatinine, urine total protein to creatinine ratio and reduced serum albumin. Overexpression of angiotensin II coexisted with a 85.6% reduction of phosphorylated to total AMPK ratio in the remnant kidney of uninephrectomised rats. RAS blockade by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker substantially normalised AMPK expression, morphological and functional changes of the remnant kidney.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uninephrectomy-induced RAS activation and AMPK inhibition in the remnant kidney could be substantially corrected by RAS blockade, suggesting a cross-talk between AMPK and RAS components in uninephrectomised rats.
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.|Department of Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, China.
authors: Ke-Ke
authors: KK
authors: Yang
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Yi
authors: Y
authors: Sui
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.|Department of Surgical Pathology, Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University, China.
authors: Hui-Rong
authors: HR
authors: Zhou
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Shen
authors: Central Laboratory of Core Facilities, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Ning
authors: N
authors: Tan
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Yan-Mei
authors: YM
authors: Huang
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Sha-Sha
authors: SS
authors: Li
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Yan-Hong
authors: YH
authors: Pan
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China.
authors: Xiao-Xi
authors: XX
authors: Zhang
authors: Center for Diabetic Systems Medicine, Guilin Medical University, China zhaohailu9@126.com.
authors: Hai-Lu
authors: HL
authors: Zhao
mesh_terms: D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000803:Angiotensin I / Q000378:metabolism; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D007668:Kidney / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D009392:Nephrectomy; D010766:Phosphorylation; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System
chemical_list: D000804:Angiotensin II; D000803:Angiotensin I; D055372:AMP-Activated Protein Kinases
keywords: AMP-activated protein kinase; Renin–angiotensin system; angiotensin receptor blocker; angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor; renal impairment; uninephrectomy