EXPRESSION OF GLOMERULAR ANTIOXIDANT ENZYMES IN HUMAN GLOMERULONEPHRITIS

Increased oxidative stress can be correlated with glomerular injury. B y immunohistochemical studies, we found expression of glomerular antio xidant enzymes (AOEs), including CuZn-superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn-S OD, and catalase, in a wide variety of glomerular diseases. The distri bution of the AOEs was either localized the in mesangial region or alo ng the luminal surface or epithelial surface of the glomerular capilla ry wall. There was no significant difference of glomerular AOE express ion among minimal change disease (MCD), IgM nephropathy (IgM N), focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, and membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) . However, when compared with MCD, IgM N and MGN, the glomerulus of lu pus nephritis and IgA nephropathy expressed a significantly higher pos itive rate of AOEs (p = 0.04-0.002). The expression of AOEs had a tren d to be associated with increased proliferative cell nuclear antigen-p ositive cells in the glomerulus of diffuse proliferative lupus nephrit is (p = 0.056). No association was found between infiltrating leukocyt es and AOE expression in all the disease groups. The glomerulus in kid neys with renal cell carcinoma expressed a significantly higher positi ve rate of AOEs and therefore could not be regarded as a normal contro l group. In summary, the immunohistochemical evidence of glomerular AO E expression in this study provides supporting evidence of oxidative s tress in a wide variety of glomerular diseases.