Genetic depletion of glutathione peroxidase-1 potentiates nephrotoxicity induced by multiple doses of cocaine via activation of angiotensin II AT1 receptor.

ABSTRACTWe investigated the possible roles of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and oxidative stress responsive nuclear factor κB (NFκB) in renal damage caused by multiple doses of cocaine in glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-1 gene-depleted mice. Treatment with cocaine resulted in significant increases in malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl, and pro-apoptotic Bax expression and decreases in the ratio of glutathione (GSH) and its oxidized form (GSSG), GSH-dependent enzymes, and anti-apoptotic factors in the kidney. These alterations were more pronounced in GPx-1 knockout (−/−) mice than in wild type (WT) mice. Notably, the AT1R antagonist losartan protected against the renal toxicity induced by cocaine, whereas the NFκB inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate was not protective. The toxicity was more pronounced in GPx-1 (−/−) mice than in WT mice. The protective effect afforded by losartan against cocaine toxicity appeared to be more sensitive in GPx-1 (−/−) mice than that in WT mice. These losartan-mediated p...