[The relationship between TNF-alpha and the injury of renal tubular cells caused by anoxia/reoxygenation].

Aim: To investigate the relationship between TNF-alpha and renal tubular cell injury caused by anoxia/reoxygenation.

Methods: Human renal proximal tubular cell line HK-2 was used as model. Anoxia/reoxygenation were produced by covering/de-covering the cell culture with liquid paraffin wax. The level of TNF-alpha and the activity of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) in the culture medium was determined by radioimmunoassay(RIA) and biochemical methods, respectively. Trypan blue exclusion was used to measure cell viability.

Results: Anoxia/reoxygenation could increase TNF-alpha level and LDH activity, but decrease viability of HK-2 cells. TNF-alpha level was positively correlated with LDH activity (r=0.89, P<0.05) and negatively with the cell viability (r=-0.91, P<0.05).

Conclusion: TNF-alpha induced by anoxia/reoxygenation may participate in the process of renal tubular cell injury.