FORCED EXPRESSION OF BCL-2 AND BCL-xL BY NOVEL WATER-SOLUBLE FULLERENE, C60(GLUCOSAMINE)6, REDUCES RENAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION-INDUCED OXIDATIVE STRESS

Apoptosis induced by oxidative stress, especially reactive oxygen species, resulting from ischemia/reperfusion would lead to organ dysfunction. C60(glucosamine)6, a water-soluble fullerene with strong free radical scavenging activity, was applied to evaluate its effect on renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis formation and superoxide generation. C60(glucosamine)6 pretreatment, but not posttreatment, significantly reduced renal ischemia/reperfusion-induced apoptosis and superoxide generation and, consequently, ameliorated renal hemodynamic effects. Up-regulation in bcl-2 and bcl-xL of the rat kidney was evident in C60(glucosamine)6 pretreated, posttreated, and nontreated groups. However, exaggerated forced expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL was found in the C60(glucosamine)6 pretreated group. Our results conclude that forced expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xL by the novel water-soluble fullerene, C60(glucosamine)6, can reduce renal ischemia/ reperfusion-induced oxidative stress.