Haptoglobin reduces renal oxidative DNA and tissue damage during phenylhydrazine-induced hemolysis

Abstract

Background: Haptoglobin knockout (Hp-/-) mice are more sensitive to phenylhydrazine-induced hemolysis than Hp+/+ mice.

Methods: Hemolysis was induced in Hp-/- and Hp+/+ mice using phenylhydrazine. Relative renal tissue damage and function were then assessed.

Results: Hp-/- mice had higher basal levels of renal lipid peroxidation, as evidenced by levels of malonaldehyde and 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal (MDA/HNE). After the administration of phenylhydrazine, levels of 8-hydroxyguanine (but not other products of oxidative DNA damage) were significantly elevated in the renal DNA. There was also increased induction of heme oxygenase-1. The more severe renal damage in Hp-/- mice was also evident in the delayed erythropoietin gene expression and poorer renal clearance of 3H-inulin. This reduction in glomerular filtration function in Hp+/+ and Hp-/- mice could be restored to baseline by vasodilators (prazosin or diazoxide), implicating renal vasoconstriction as a major mechanism of acute renal failure during induced hemolysis. Precipitation of hemoglobin in the kidney was not increased in Hp-/- mice.

Conclusions: Haptoglobin appears to play an important physiological role as an antioxidant, particularly during hemolysis.