RAT MACROPHAGES IN EXPERIMENTAL IGA NEPHROPATHY

To test whether the peripheral macrophage functions as an early index of oxygen free radical release in association with the development of IgA nephropathy (IgAN), we studied female Lewis rats. IgAN was produce d by treatment over 8 weeks with 0.1% bovine gamma globulin (EGG) in d rinking water, followed by three daily intravenous injections of EGG, 1 mg/dose, Fifteen rats were divided randomly into three groups: contr ol, IgAN, and IgAN fed vitamin E 100 IU/kg chow. At the end of the tre atment period, rats were placed in individual metabolic cages for 24-h urine collections and then anesthetized with Inactin (100 mg/kg BW) f or aspiration of peritoneal macrophages. The results (means +/- SD) ex tended our previous data in male rats, confirming that the elevated pr oteinuria of IgAN (3.62 +/- 0.79 mg/day) was significantly reduced wit h vitamin E treatment (2.59 +/- 0.28 mg/day) in female rats (P < 0.002 ) More importantly, we indicated for the first time that oxygen free r adicals' production by peritoneal macrophages in IgAN was significantl y reduced by vitamin E: 1.58 +/- 0.91 nmol/10(6) cells/15 min in the u ntreated group vs 3.28 +/- 0.54 nmol/10(6) cells/15 min in the vitamin E-treated group (P < 0.05). (C) 1996 Academic Press, Inc.