Abstract:

Objective To investigate the effect of hyperoxaluria on apoptosis of rat renal tubular epithelial cells, and observe the interventional role of hydrogenrich water. Methods Fifty-six male Wistar rats were randomly divided into blank control group (drinking deionized water plus treating with deionized water), calculi-induced group (drinking 1% ethylene glycol plus treating with deionized water), hydrogen-rich water control group (drinking deionized water plus treating with hydrogen-rich water of -140 mV oxidation-reduction potential), magnesium hydroxide control group (drinking 1% ethylene glycol plus treating with magnesium hydroxide), and high, medium and low concentration hydrogen-rich water intervention groups (drinking 1% ethylene glycol plus treating with hydrogen-rich water of -140 mV, -110 mV and -60 mV oxidation-reduction potentials respectively), with 8 rats in each group. Four weeks after management, 24 h oxaluria concentrations were measured, the apoptosis indexes (AI) of renal tubular epithelial cells were detected with TUNEL method, and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in renal tissues were determined. Results Twenty-four hour oxaluria concentrations in calculi-induced group, magnesium hydroxide control group and high, medium and low concentration hydrogen-rich water intervention groups were significantly higher than those in blank control group and hydrogen-rich water control group (P<0.05). AI of renal tubular epithelial cells in calculi-induced group was significantly higher than that in blank control group (P<0.05). AI of renal tubular epithelial cells in high, medium and low concentration hydrogen-rich water intervention groups were 46.8%, 60.0% and 92.6% respectively of that in calculi-induced group, which exhibited a significant dose-effect relationship (r=－0.724, P<0.05). The concentration of hydrogen-rich water was significantly positively related to the activity of SOD (r=0.683, P<0.05), and was significantly negatively related to the content of MDA (r=－0.736, P<0.05). Conclusion Hyperoxaluria can increase the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells, and hydrogen-rich water can effectively protect renal tubular epithelial cells from hyperoxaluria-induced injury.

Key words: hydrogen-rich water, oxalate, apoptosis, superoxide dismutase, malonaldehyde