Cyclooxygenase (cox) expression in the developing ovine kidney
Date
2012
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Abstract
Cyclooxygenase (COX) is an enzyme which functions to break down arachidonic acid (AA) into prostaglandins (PGs) which mediate numerous physiological processes. COX is expressed throughout all of the major organs including the brain, heart, lungs, uterus and kidney as well as smooth muscle vasculature. The two different COX isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2, are present in the kidney and have an important role in maintaining renal hemodynamics and function. The production of PGs through enzymatic activity of COX is prevented with the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which non-selectively inhibit the activity of both COX isoforms. Currently, NSAIDs may be administered to pregnant women to inhibit premature labor, as well as to preterm infants to aid in the closure of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Inhibition of PGs in the fetal and newborn kidney may result in deleterious effects on kidney function including acute kidney injury in the newborn period. The mechanism(s) underlying the adverse effects of non-selective COX inhibition on the newborn kidney is not known. The objective of this investigation is to describe for the first time, mRNA and protein expression of COX-1 and COX-2 isoforms in both the cortical and medullary regions from birth through three months of age in the ovine kidney. To assess COX expression, ovine kidney tissue from cortex and medulla of lambs from five postnatal ages (N=3 from each age group), were examined. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis was employed to assess mRNA expression and Western blot assays were utilized to determine the expression of protein for COX-1 and COX-2 within the ovine kidney. Results from these investigations provide, for the first time, a profile of COX-I and COX-2 expression at the level of mRNA and protein, comparing cortex and medulla within the ovine kidney over five ages in early postnatal life. The expression of COX isoforms in cortical and medullary regions of the developing kidney throughout the first three months of postnatal life may help us to understand the mechanisms by which COX inhibition may influence growth and function of the mammalian kidney.
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Bibliography: p. 65-79
A few pages are in colour.
Includes copy of animal protocol approval. Original copy with original Partial Copyright Licence.
A few pages are in colour.
Includes copy of animal protocol approval. Original copy with original Partial Copyright Licence.
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Citation
Lewis, M. L. (2012). Cyclooxygenase (cox) expression in the developing ovine kidney (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/5013