Background: Progressive chronic kidney disease is often associated with albuminuria and renal fibrosis linked to the accumulation of myofibroblasts producing extracellular matrix. Renal myofibroblasts are derived from a number of cells including tubular epithelial cells (TECs) through epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT). This study explores the hypothesis that exposure of TECs to albumin induces EMT. Methods: Normal rat TECs (NRK52E) were exposed in culture to de-lipidated bovine serum albumin (dBSA; 10 mg/ml) for 2, 4 and 6 days. Binding/uptake of fluoresceined albumin by PTCs was evaluated. Transformation into myofibroblasts was assessed by light and electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and Western blotting for α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), E-cadherin and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). We also investigated the expression of fibroblast-specific protein-1 (FSP-1) and collagens I, III and IV. TGF-β1 biological activity, mRNA and protein were measured. A neutralising anti-TGF-β1 antibody was used to analyse the role of TGF-β1 in albumin-induced EMT. Results: Exposure of TECs to dBSA led to binding/uptake of albumin as well as fibroblastic morphological changes. Incubation of TECs with dBSA caused a reduction of TEC marker E-cadherin (ANOVA p = 0.0002) and de novo expression of fibroblast markers α-SMA and FSP-1 (ANOVA p = 0.0001) in a time-dependent manner. It also increased expression and activity of TGF-β1. Neutralisation of TGF-β1 significantly reduced EMT (p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that in vitro, albumin induces the transformation of TECs into cells with myofibroblast characteristics; a process that may be TGF-β1 dependent.

Background: Arylesterase activity of Paraoxonase-1 (ARE-PON-1) exhibits an antioxidant role which protects lipoprotein from oxidation. It is known that ARE-PON-1 antioxidant activity associated with high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) reduces the oxidative damage mediated by low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). The present study was aimed to examine the level of serum ARE-PON1 in Iraqi patients with β-thalassemia minor and its relationship with lipid profile (total cholesterol (TC), HDL-C, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and LDL-C) and hematologic changes as a part of antioxidant system action. Methods: In the present study, the ARE-PON-1 activity was investigated in serum of patients with β-thalassemia minor. Results: It has been revealed that the ARE-PON-1 activity was significantly decreased (P>0.0001) in patients group compared to healthy group. This was associated with slight decrease in the lipid profile of patient group (HDL, LDL-C, very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), and total cholesterol (TC), except of triglyceride (TG) which showed a significant decrease (P>0.0001) compared to healthy group). Also, hematologic changes were investigated and showed depleting in most of white blood cell (WBC) and red blood cell (RBC) components. Conclusion: Patients with β-thalassemia minor are suffering from weakness in the antioxidant defence system expressed by dropping in the ARE-PON1 level and lipid profile that stimulate oxidation of many cell particles such as HGB, promote EOS apoptosis and rise of CD risk development.