Abstract
This study was undertaken to examine the effect of oxidants on membrane transport function in renal epithelial cells. Hydrogen peroxide ($H_2O_2$) was used as a model oxidant and the membrane transport function was evaluated by measuring $Na^+$-dependent phosphate ($Na^+$-Pi) uptake in opossum kidney (OK) cells. $H_2O_2$ inhibited $Na^+$-Pi uptake in a dose-dependent manner. The oxidant also caused loss of cell viability in a dose-dependent fashion. However, the extent of inhibition of the uptake was larger than that in cell viability. $H_2O_2$ inhibited $Na^+$-dependent uptake without any effect on $Na^+$-independent uptake. $H_2O_2$-induced inhibition of $Na^+$-Pi uptake was prevented completely by catalase, dimethylthiourea, and deferoxamine, suggesting involvement of hydroxyl radical generated by an iron-dependent mechanism. In contrast, antioxidants Trolox, N,N'-diphenyl-p-phenylenediamine, and butylated hydroxyanisole did not affect the $H_2O_2$ inhibition. Kinetic analysis indicated that $H_2O_2$ decreased Vmax of $Na^+$-Pi uptake with no change in the Km value. Phosphonoformic acid binding assay did not show any difference between control and $H_2O_2$-treated cells. $H_2O_2$ also did not cause degradation of $Na^+$-Pi transporter protein. Reduction in $Na^+$-Pi uptake by $H_2O_2$ was associated with ATP depletion and direct inhibition of $Na^+$-$K^+$-ATPase activity. These results indicate that the effect of $H_2O_2$ on membrane transport function in OK cells is associated with reduction in functional $Na^+$-pump activity. In addition, the inhibitory effect of $H_2O_2$ was not associated with lipid peroxidation.