Selective glutathione depletion on function and structure of the isolated perfused rat kidney.

The role of glutathione (GSH) in the preservation of renal function and the pathogenesis of renal injury has been investigated using the isolated perfused rat kidney as a model. In kidneys perfused for 80 min with 5 mM glucose as the only exogenous substrate, tissue GSH becomes depleted, renal function deteriorates, and a degenerative change appears, restricted to the medullary thick ascending limb. These abnormalities can be ameliorated by providing amino acid supplements or by adding GSH itself to the perfusion. To distinguish between the effects of amino acid supplementation and GSH depletion per se, selective depletion of GSH was accomplished in several different ways. Synthesis of GSH was inhibited by the addition of dl-buthionine-SR-sulfoximine, a specific inhibitor of gamma-glutamyl cysteine synthetase. GSH depletion was also produced by 2-cyclohexene-1-one and diethylmaleate, both known to diminish the concentration of GSH selectively without affecting protein thiols. Perfused kidneys selectively depleted of GSH showed significant impairment of concentrating ability, and less marked decreases in tubular reabsorption of sodium. The degenerative changes in the medullary thick ascending limb, on the other hand, were unaltered.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)