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Testosterone promotes apoptotic damage in human renal tubular cells

Verzola D, Gandolfo MT, Salvatore F, Villaggio B, Gianiorio F, Traverso P, Deferrari G, Garibotto G

Kidney international, 2004

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Apoptosis is a mode of cell death that participates in the kidney physiologic remodeling processes and is thought to contribute to cell loss and kidney structural damage in chronic renal diseases. Gender is one factor which contributes to accelerated nephron loss, with progression more rapid in men than in women in diabetic and nondiabetic chronic renal diseases. Mechanisms by which androgens may cause higher rate of progression of chronic renal diseases in men are poorly explored.

METHODS: In this study, to investigate the role of androgens on apoptotic damage and its associated mechanisms, we examined the effects of testosterone (T) (0.1 nmol/L to 1 micromol/L) on apoptosis, and apoptosis-related proteins in a proximal human tubule cell line (HK-2 cells). Additional experiments were performed in primary cultures of proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs). Cells were grown to subconfluence in normal growth medium, and apoptotic damage was induced by serum deprivation for 24 to 48 hours. Cycloheximide, flutamide (a T-receptor antagonist), 17-beta estradiol, or caspase inhibitors were added to cultures that were successively processed for terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated uridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL) analysis, annexin V/propidium iodide staining, immunofluorescence, or immunoblots to identify effects and apoptotic pathways that could be modulating cell survival.

RESULTS: Both morphologic analysis by annexin V/propidium iodide…

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