Aims: Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in the inflammatory process and immune response. The aim of the study was to investigate ICAM-1 expression in the kidneys of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and the relationship between the level of ICAM-1 and renal damage.
Methods: Male Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat and SHR models were employed. Blood pressure (BP) was recorded using tail cuff method. Twenty-four hour proteinuria and β(2)-microglobulin (β(2)-MG) were measured using biuret method and radioimmunity kits, respectively. Biochemical parameters were measured after the animals were killed. ICAM-1 expression in renal tissue was assessed using western blot and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Results: It was observed that BP, proteinuria, and urine β(2)-MG were more increased in SHR groups than that in the same age WKY groups. In SHR groups, BP, proteinuria, and urine β(2)-MG at the 56th week were significantly higher than that at the 28th week. ICAM-1 protein and mRNA expression in SHR renal tissues was significantly increased in SHR groups compared with the same age in WKY rats. ICAM-l expression was positively correlated with proteinuria and urine β(2)-MG.
Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the renal expression of ICAM-1 was increased in SHR with renal damage, and inflammation may be involved in the hypertensive renal damage.