Effects of adiponectin on apoptosis and oxidative stress of human renal tubular epithelial cells cultured in D-glucose in high concentration

Objective 　To investigate the effects of adiponectin on apoptosis and oxidative stress in human renal tubular epithelial cells cultured in high concentration of D-glucose in vitro. Methods 　The human renal tubular epithelial cells were divided into 3 groups: normal control group (5.5mmol/L D-glucose), high glucose group (30.0mmol/L D-glucose) and high glucose plus adiponectin group (30.0mmol/L D-glucose+2.5µg/ml adiponectin). After being cultured for 24, 48, 72h, flow cytometry were employed to determine cellular apoptosis. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the super natant of culture media were determined with xanthine oxidase method and thiobarbituric acid method. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA and adaptor protein p66Shc mRNA expression were determined by RT-PCR. Results 　Compared with normal control group, high glucose could induce apoptosis, lower SOD activity and elevate MDA level (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of HO-1 and p66Shc were both increased in high glucose group time dependently (P<0.05). Compared with high glucose group, addition of adiponectin could inhibit apoptosis, increase SOD activity and lower MDA level (P<0.05). The expression of p66Shc mRNA decreased but HO-1 mRNA continued to increase in a time dependent manner (P<0.05). Conclusions 　High D-glucose content could induce HK-2 cells apoptosis and oxidative stress. Adiponectin could deter apoptosis and inhibit oxidative stress to exert a protective effect on kidney.