ANGIOTENSIN-CONVERTING ENZYME-INHIBITION ALTERS CLUSTERIN MESSENGER-RNA EXPRESSION IN THE KIDNEY FOLLOWING RENAL MASS REDUCTION

The effect of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril on clusterin mRNA was examined in partially nephrectomized male rats. Ur ine protein excretion was measured 3, 7, and 28 days after removal of five sixths of the renal mass. Nephrectomy caused a progressive increa se in clusterin mRNA levels in the remnant kidney. Maximal clusterin m RNA levels occurred 7 days after nephrectomy and declined 28 days afte r nephrectomy. Captopril, 250 mg/ml in drinking water, prevented the i njury-induced increase in clusterin mRNA at 7 and 28 days. Captopril h ad no effect on clusterin in sham-operated rats. As expected, the urin e protein excretion increased progressively after nephrectomy, and thi s was attenuated by administration of captopril in the drinking water. Therefore, clusterin is a marker of renal injury which, along with pr oteinuria, is modulated by angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibition.