HISTOCHEMICAL LOCALIZATION OF ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE KIDNEYS OF THREE MAMMALIAN SPECIES DURING THEIR POSTNATAL DEVELOPMENT

Clinical enzymology of the dog and cat

Clinical enzymology studies the enzyme activity in serum or other body fluids for the diagnosis, prognosis or monitoring of a variety of diseases. Clinical enzymology has greatly benefited from advances in technology and is now an integral part of laboratory analysis. However, to maximise the clinical benefits of serum enzyme measurement, clinicians and clinical pathologists must have a good understanding of the pathophysiology behind serum enzyme alterations. They must also be aware of the preanalytical and analytical factors that can affect the accuracy of serum enzyme activity measurement. This review article first covers the basic concepts of clinical enzymology and the general mechanisms related to serum enzyme alterations. Then, the review discusses the potential effects of various preanalytical and analytical factors on enzyme activity measurement. Lastly, it explores the pathophysiology and clinical use of various serum enzymes in canine and feline medicine. The present review article aims to be a comprehensive one-stop source for clinical pathologists and small animal practitioners.

Maturation of carbonic anhydrase IV expression in rabbit kidney

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) IV facilitates renal acidification by catalyzing the dehydration of luminal H(2)CO(3). CA IV is expressed in proximal tubules, medullary collecting ducts, and A-intercalated cells of the mature rabbit kidney (Schwartz GJ, Kittelberger AM, Barnhart DA, and Vijayakumar S. Am J Physiol 278: F894-F904, 2000). In view of the maturation of HCO transport in the proximal tubule and collecting duct, the ontogeny of CA IV expression was examined. During the first 2 wk, CA IV mRNA was expressed in maturing cortex and medulla at ~20% of adult levels. The maturational increase was gradual in cortex over 3-5 wk of age but surged in the medulla, so that mRNA levels appeared higher than those in the adult medulla. In situ hybridization showed very little CA IV mRNA at 5 days, with increases in deep cortex and medullary collecting ducts by 21 days. Expression of CA IV protein in the cortex and medulla was minimal at 3 days of age but then apparent in the juxtamedullary region, A-intercalated cells and medullary collecting ducts by 18 days; there was little labeling of the proximal straight tubules of the medullary rays. Thus CA IV expression may be regulated to accommodate the maturational increase in HCO absorption in the proximal tubule. In the medullary collecting duct, there is a more robust maturation of CA IV mRNA and protein, commensurate with the high rate of HCO absorption in the neonatal segment.

Postnatal development of carbonic anhydrase IV expression in rabbit kidney

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) IV activity facilitates renal acidification by catalyzing the dehydration of luminal carbonic acid. CA IV has been localized to the proximal tubules and medullary collecting ducts. Maturation of CA IV expression has been considered to be important in the development of renal acid excretion. The purpose of the present study was to determine the maturational expression of CA IV in rabbit kidney. A guinea pig polyclonal antibody to purified rabbit lung microsomal membrane CA IV was generated. Immunoblotting of membrane proteins after peptide-N-glycosidase F treatment revealed two N-glycosylation sites and reduction in size from approximately 52 to 35 kDa; there appeared to be heavier glycosylation in the medulla. In membrane and total proteins from the kidney cortex, CA IV was 15-30% of the adult level during the first 2 wk of life but increased to mature levels by 5 wk of age. The maturational pattern in the cortex was confirmed by measuring SDS-resistant CA hydratase activity. In the medulla, both membrane and total proteins were generally less than one-fourth of the adult level of CA IV during the first 2 wk of life before reaching mature levels by 5 wk of age. Immunohistochemistry showed staining in proximal tubules (apical > basolateral), with maximal label in the S2 segment. CA IV also appeared on the apical membranes of a minority cell type of the cortical collecting duct, presumably the alpha-intercalated cell. Several labeled cells also appeared to be the process of being extruded from medullary collecting ducts of 1- to 2-wk rabbits. The antibody did not reliably detect medullary CA IV expression in sections from mature rabbits. These studies indicate that there is a substantial postnatal increase in expression of CA IV in the maturing kidney in both the cortex and medulla. The disappearance of intercalated cells in the maturing rabbit medullary collecting duct may be part of a normal renal developmental program as previously reported [J. Kim, J.-H. Cha, C. C. Tisher, and K. M. Madsen. Am. J. Physiol. 270 (Renal Fluid Electrolyte Physiol. 39): F575-F592, 1996]. It is likely that the maturation of CA IV expression contributes to the increase in renal acidification observed early in postnatal life.

Glycolysis is not responsible for the tolerance of immature renal tubules to anoxia

We have previously shown that the immature tubule is tolerant of prolonged anoxia. In addition, cellular ATP is maintained at 2-fold higher levels during anoxia in the immature tubules compared with the mature tubules. The purpose of this study was: 1) to determine whether anaerobic glycolysis contributes to the tolerance to anoxia and preservation of cellular ATP in immature tubules and 2) to evaluate whether the tolerance demonstrated by immature tubules is dependent on preservation of cellular ATP. Suspensions of proximal tubules from immature (8-10 d) and mature (8-10 wk) rats were subjected to 15 and 45 min of anoxia in a standard buffer and in buffers designed to inhibit glycolysis. Lactate dehydrogenase release was used to assess plasma membrane damage, ATP levels were determined as an index of cellular energy and total lactate production was measured to evaluate glycolytic activity. After 45 min of anoxia, total lactate production was less in immature tubules (101 +/- 48 micrograms of lactate/mg of DNA) compared with mature tubules (148 +/- 36 micrograms of lactate/mg of DNA). After inhibition of glycolytic metabolism, ATP decreased to similar levels in both immature and mature tubules. However, immature tubules remained resistant to anoxic damage (lactate dehydrogenase: mature tubules 38 +/- 4%, immature tubules 29 +/- 1.0%). Therefore, enhanced glycolytic activity does not play a dominant role in the tolerance of the developing kidney to anoxia, and this tolerance is not primarily dependent on preservation of cellular ATP.

In vitro growth and differentiation of human kidney tubular cells on a basement membrane substrate

Kidney cortical tubular cells, mainly proximal tubular cells, isolated from human kidney and grown either on a basement membrane substrate in chemically defined medium or on plastic in serum-supplemented medium, had substantial proliferative potential and could be propagated for more than 10 generations or 8 passages before senescence. Basement membrane produced on a plastic substrate by the HR-9 endodermal cell line could replace serum supplementation in promoting tubular cell growth. Tubular cells grown on an HR-9 basement membrane substrate exhibited stable epithelial morphology over an extended period of time; in the presence of 5% serum they differentiated into organized structures such as hemicysts and cell cords. Cells grown on plastic failed to differentiate and gradually degenerated. Tubular cells on HR-9 basement membrane were characterized by densely packed microvilli, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and free polysomes, basal cell membrane interdigitations, a well-developed endocytotic apparatus, and conspicuous junctional complexes--all features of the proximal tubular cell. Compared with cells on plastic substrate, there were higher levels of the brush border enzymes gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase, L-leucine aminopeptidase, and alkaline phosphatase in cells maintained on an HR-9 basement membrane substrate, further supporting the conclusion that a basement membrane substrate promoted differentiation of tubular cells. These data and morphological observations indicate that a basement membrane substrate can promote growth and both functional and morphologic differentiation of human kidney tubular cells.

Autoradiographic localization of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in guinea-pig kidney

The distribution of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes in slide-mounted sections of guinea-pig kidney has been examined by the technique of in vitro labelling combined with autoradiography. Binding of (-)-[125I]-cyanopindolol (Cyp) to kidney sections equilibrated and dissociated slowly, was saturable and stereoselective with respect to the isomers of propranolol and pindolol. These characteristics were appropriate for binding to beta-adrenoceptors. Delineation of beta-adrenoceptor subtypes was achieved by use of betaxolol (beta 1-adrenoceptors) and ICI 118,551 (beta 2-adrenoceptors) and computer assisted curve fitting techniques. Both beta 1- and beta 2-adrenoceptors were present in the proportions 1:2. 3H-Ultrofilm images of (-)-[125I]-Cyp binding to guinea-pig kidney sections showed localized patches of binding in the cortex and concentrated binding in the outer stripe of the medulla. Cortical receptors were of the beta 1 subtype and those associated with the outer stripe of the medulla were of the beta 2-adrenoceptor subtype. beta 1-Adrenoceptors were concentrated over glomeruli and beta 2-adrenoceptors over the straight portion of the proximal tubule.

Pancreatic damage induced by injecting a large dose of arginine

Male Wistar rats were injected intraperitoneally with a large dose of arginine (500 mg/100 g body weight) and were sacrificed 24, 48 and 72 h later. Pancreatic tissue was examined by electron microscopy to study the resulting process of degeneration. Degeneration started with disorganization of the rough endoplasmic reticulum into whorls with a concomitant decrease in the numbers of zymogen granules. The main changes in acinar cells after 24 h were partial distension of the endoplasmic reticulum, whorls of agranular membranes encircling zymogen granules and perinuclear vacuoles. At this time large sequestered areas in the cytoplasm contained disarranged rough endoplasmic reticulum and degraded zymogen granules. The mitochondria showed only slight changes. After 48 h, dissociation and necrosis of acinar cells were noted. Subsequently, the necrotic cells were replaced by interstitial tissue composed of leucocytes and fibroblasts. It was concluded that a large dose of arginine is toxic to the rat pancreas when injected intraperitoneally. The early morphological changes of the acinar cells may be related to metabolic alterations associated with the endoplasmic reticulum. The disorganization of the endoplasmic reticulum and the reduced number of zymogen granules may indicate disturbance of protein synthesis. The focal sequestration and degradation of the cytoplasm seemed to represent changes of the acinar cells associated with removal of damaged organelles.

The effect of 2,3-dimercaptopropane sodium sulfonate on mercury retention in rats in relation to age

The effectiveness of DMPS (sodium 2,3-dimercaptopropane-1-sulfonate) in reducing inorganic mercury retention was studied in 2-, 6-, and 28-week-old albino rats. 203Hg was administered IP. The chelating agent DMPS was administered by IP injection at a dose of 250 mumol/kg body weight three times, 1 day after 203Hg administration and at 24 h intervals thereafter. The whole body retention determined 1, 2, 3, and 6 days after 203Hg administration showed that DMPS decreased the body retention of mercury in all age groups, being about twice as effective in adult compared to suckling rats. The reduced effectiveness was due to the reduced efficacy of DMPS in reducing kidney retention in young animals. In other organs the effectiveness of DMPS was not age dependent. These and previous results obtained with different chelating agents and other metals indicate that age might be an important factor in chelation therapy in general.

Comparative biochemistry of the guinea-pig: a partial checklist

A great deal is known about guinea-pig biochemistry, but the information is scattered and difficult to assemble. The guinea-pig also possesses a number of unusual biochemical features which add to its interest. For these reasons we have compiled a list of biochemical characteristics of the guinea-pig, organized in a series of tables, with brief discussions of some of the entries.

The influence of age on the effectiveness of DTPA in reducing 141Ce retention in rats

The influence of age on the effectiveness of chelation treatment in reducing retention of radioactive cerium was studied in two- and six-week-old albino rats. 141Ce was administered intraperitoneally, followed immediately and after 24 and 48 hours by intraperitoneal administration of the tri-sodium calcium salt of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid--Na3(CaDTPA) at 380 mumol/kg body weight. The whole-body retention was determined 2, 4 and 6 days after radiocerium administration, when the animals were killed and the organ retention was determined. The chelation therapy significantly reduced the whole-body retention of radiocerium. This treatment was however twice as effective in older as in younger animals.

Urinary enzyme excretion as a indicator of nephrotoxicity in dependence on age

It was tested whether or not the measurement of urinary enzyme excretion is suitable for detection of nephrotoxic effects in newborn and in old aged rats in the same way as in adult rats. In rats of different ages the renal excretion of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and alkaline phosphatase (alP) was measured after administration of a single nephrotoxic dose of uranyl nitrate (0.6 mg/100 g b.wt.). In adult and old aged rats the three enzymes indicate the nephrotoxic effect reliably. In 15- and 20-day-old rats only the alkaline phosphatase seems to be an indicator for the nephrotoxicity of uranyl nitrate. There are differences in the time course of enzymuria in dependence on age.

Development of the intrarenal vascular system of the puppy kidney

This study investigates the development of the vascular system of the puppy kidney (1-21 days after birth) after preparing casts of the renal vessels. At two days, the intrarenal vascular system distal to the afferent arteriole is strikingly different than that of the adult. The glomeruli of the outer cortex consist of a single dilated vessel while those of the mid and inner cortex posses an increasingly larger number of capillary loops. The efferent arterioles vary greatly in appearance from outer to inner cortex. Those in the nephrogenic zone are characteristically short and narrow and join a larger venous vessel termined a sinusoidal capillary. An efferent system somewhat similar to that of the adult is seen in the mid and inner cortex. One of the most obvious differences noted between the puppy and adult kidney is the relative lack of peritubular capillary networks throughout the cortex of the puppy kidney. The puppy possesses large, irregular vessels termed sinusoidal capillaries. The most rudimentary sinusoids are found in the outer cortex with more mature vessels in the inner cortex. The vascular arrangement of the efferent arteriole and sinusoidal capillary appears as a post-glomerular shunt. Functionally, the shunt would direct blood flow away from the proximal tubule and thus could result in a low extraction ratio and Tm for secreted solutes.

Correlation of enzyme histochemical and structural segmentation in the proximal convoluted tubule of the rat kidney. Enzyme activity compared to the freeze-dried structure of serial-sectioned normal rat nephrons

In the normal rat kidney enzyme histochemical activity was correlated with the structural segmentation of the convoluted part of the proximal tubule, as seen in freeze-dried sections. Serial sections were employed for alternate morphological and enzyme histochemical studies. The tubules were investigated for activity of the following enzymes: 1) non-specific acid phosphatases, 2) non-specific alkaline phosphatases, 3) succinate dehydrogenase and 4) non-specific esterases. Close to the urinary pole acid phosphatase activity was slight in all instances, whilst in the first and second segment a gradual increase in tubular cells with heavy enzyme activity was seen. All tubular cells at the urinary pole showed heavy alkaline phosphatase activity, but there was a gradual increase of cells showing slight enzyme activity in the first and second segments. Succinate dehydrogenase activity was constantly heavy at the urinary pole, and there was a gradual decrease in these cells with heavy enzyme activity along the course of the first and second segments. The pattern of tubular enzyme activity for these three enzymes was independent of the nephron level in the renal cortex. The non-specific esterase activity was, in comparison, uniform throughout the length of the proximal tubule in nephrons from all levels of the renal cortex. This combined enzyme histochemical and morphological investigation demonstrates conclusively that there is a close correlation between structural segmentation and the pattern of enzyme activity of non-specific acid and alkaline phosphatases and succinate dehydrogenase in the proximal convoluted tubule of normal rat kidney.

Morphometric and enzyme histochemical behaviour of the kidney of young rats before and after unilateral nephrectomy

Four week old male Wistar rats were unilaterally nephrectomized, and one, two, four, fourteen, and twenty-eight days after the operation the remaining kidneys were removed for morphological examination--including measurement of diameters of the tubules--and for histochemical investigation of enzymatic activities in the nephrons. The following enzymes were examined: succinate DH, lactate DH, alpha-glycerophosphate DH, isocitrate DH, glucose-6-phosphate DH, cytochrome oxidase, adenosine triphosphatase, alkaline and acid phosphatases. In comparison with kidneys of control animals of the same age and sex, the hypertrophy of the remaining kidney was found to be, even in these young rats, entirely due to enlargement of preexisting nephrons. The measurements have indicated that the hypertrophy was most distinct between the second and fourth day after uninephrectomy. Four weeks after the operation the diameters of proximal and distal tubules were about 21% and 18% respectively bigger in the uninephrectomized animals than in the corresponding controls. This increase in size was accompanied by some changes in intensity of enzymatic staining reactions; after an initial diminishment, a graduate increase in activity of almost all the observed tubular enzymes was found; this seems to be the expression of the functional compensation by the remaining kidney.

Deoxycholate depresses small-intestinal enzyme activity

Feeding sodium deoxycholate orally to rats for four days caused depression of the activity of the small intestinal enzymes lactase, sucrase, maltase, alkaline phosphatase, and N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase. The first four are brush border enzymes, the last a lysosomal enzyme. Alkaline phosphatase activity recovered very rapidly and rebounded to above the normal level within 24 hours. The activity of the three disaccharidases returned to normal within seven days while no recovery was observed within 96 hours of the activity of the lysosomal enzyme, N-acetyl-beta-glucosaminidase, after removing the bile salt from the diet.

Rates of oxygen consumption and of anaerobic glycolysis in renal cortex and medulla of adult and new-born rats and guinea-pigs

1. Rates of oxygen uptake and of anaerobic glycolysis were estimated in slices from the renal cortex and medulla (a) of adult rats and guinea-pigs, (b) of new-born (1-, 5- and 21-day-old) rats and of guinea-pigs of 1, 12, 21, 24 and 120 hr age.2. In the adult rat, Q(O2) values for the cortex were 12.55 +/- 0.20 (22) and for the medulla: 8.56 +/- 0.17 (22) mul./hr.mg dry weight, while in the new-born rat (24 hr old) they were 10.99 +/- 0.46 (12) and 9.33 +/- 0.18 (9) mul./hr.mg dry weight respectively.3. Values for Q(CO2) (N2) (anaerobic glycolysis) in the 14 hr old new-born rat were in the renal cortex 9.65 +/- 0.35 (5) and in the medulla 7.39 +/- 0.43 (5) mul./hr.mg dry weight; while in the adult they were 2.25 +/- 0.08 (16) and 5.76 +/- 0.14 (16) mul./hr.mg dry weight, respectively.4. In the adult guinea-pig values for Q(CO2) (N2) were of the same order as in the adult rat, though the rate of O(2) uptake was for the cortex 8.12 +/- 0.22 (12) and for the medulla 5.02 +/- 0.23 (11) mul./hr.mg dry weight.5. Though the Q(O2) values in the renal cortex and medulla were smaller in the 1 hr old new-born guinea-pig, they were already increasing in the 12 hr old neonate.6. The results are discussed in the light of enzyme changes occurring during the process of maturation of the nephron as indicated by histochemical observations.

Maturation of renal organic acid transport: substrate stimulation by penicillin

Renal p-aminohippurate transport in rabbits increased rapidly from birth to 4 weeks of age and then declined to that observed in adults. Penicillin administration to pregnant does or newborn rabbits stimulated the developing transport system, but did not increase the peak observed at 4 weeks. Therefore the continued presence of substrate (penicillin) during development significantly enhances the rate of maturation.