Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2009; 117(6): 257-265
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1081212
Article

© J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Increased Expression of Myo-inositol Oxygenase is Involved in the Tubulointerstitial Injury of Diabetic Nephropathy

Y. Lu 1 , 2 , C. Liu 1 , X. Miao 1 , K. Xu 1 , X. Wu 1 , C. Liu 1
  • 1Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
  • 2Department of Endocrinology, The 2nd Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
Further Information

Publication History

received 17.12.2007 first decision 02.04.2008

accepted 11.06.2008

Publication Date:
03 December 2008 (online)

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Abstract

Myo-inositol oxygenase (MIOX) catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of myo-inositol (MI) to give D-glucuronic acid, a committed step in MI catabolism. Previous studies have shown that increased mRNA and protein levels of MIOX in the cortex of the kidney in diabetic mice. The implication of MIOX expression in diabetic nephropathy, however, has not been revealed. In the present study, we demonstrate for the first time that the expression of MIOX was increased at both the mRNA and protein levels in the kidney of rats with diabetic nephropathy. In addition, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin levels were increased and E-cadherin levels decreased in the same diabetic kidneys. In vitro, studies have shown that high concentrations of glucose significantly increased MIOX secretion in rat renal tubular epithelial cells NRK-52E in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting that hyperglycemia is a direct cause of the MIOX increase in the kidney. With respect to the function of MIOX, we have shown that overexpression of MIOX induces greater levels of α-SMA, increased fibronectin expression, and lower levels of E-cadherin expression relative to normal NRK-52E cells. The blockade of MIOX by antisense oligonucleotide (ODN) inhibits high glucose-induced production of α-SMA and fibronectin in normal NRK-52E cells. This suggests that increased expression of MIOX in diabetic kidneys may contribute to tubulointerstitial injury and the development of diabetic nephropathy.

References

Correspondence

Prof. C. Liu

The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University

300 Guangzhou Road Nanjing

210029 China

Phone: +86/25/83 06 26 90

Email: Liuchao2095@126.com.cn