Amino acids induce indicators of response to injury in glomerular mesangial cells.

High-protein diets exacerbate glomerular hyperfiltration and the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The purpose of this study was to determine whether amino acids also produce nonhemodynamic injury in the glomerulus. When rat mesangial cells were cultured with an amino acid mixture designed to replicate the composition in plasma after protein feeding, production of mRNA (Northern blot analysis) and/or protein (ELISA or Western blot analysis) for transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), fibronectin, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), and collagen IV were enhanced in a manner comparable to a culture with high glucose (30.

Effects of amino acids and glucose on mesangial cell aminopeptidase a and angiotensin receptors.

Background: High protein diets and diabetes increase renal renin angiotensin system (RAS) activity, which is associated with glomerular injury. Aminopeptidase A (APA) is a cell surface metalloprotease that degrades angiotensin II (AII) in the mesangium. Mesangial cells (MC) also possess receptors for AII; the type 1 (AT1 receptor) promotes proliferation and fibrosis, while the type 2 (AT2 receptor) opposes these effects.