Antioxidant-oxidant balance in the glomerulus and proximal tubule of the rat kidney.

1. Antioxidant and oxidative enzymes were examined in renal glomeruli and proximal tubules of healthy young rats (10-12 weeks old), and results were related to the superoxide anion generation of these tissues. 2. Activities of superoxide dismutases, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase were 3- to 6-fold higher in proximal tubules than in glomeruli. Similarly, enzyme levels and mRNA levels of superoxide dismutases and catalase were significantly higher in proximal tubules. 3. NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidase activity and xanthine oxidase activity were not different in glomeruli and proximal tubules. 4. Measurements with lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescence in vital tissues indicated 10-fold higher rates of superoxide anion in glomeruli than in tubules. 5. Compared with the young rats, tubules of 8-month-old rats had significantly higher superoxide anion rates and lower superoxide dismutase activity, whereas NADH- and NADPH-dependent oxidase activities were unchanged. 6. We conclude that considerable differences in the antioxidant-oxidant balance exist between the glomerulus and proximal tubule. Results from experiments using chemiluminescence in vital tissues suggest that changes in the antioxidant-oxidant balance have an effect on oxygen radical levels. The relevance of the observed differences to glomerular and tubulo-interstitial disease remains to be determined, but a greater susceptibility of the glomerulus to oxidant stress might be anticipated.