Proteomics analyses of acute kidney injury biomarkers in a rat exertional heat stroke model

Fu-Li Wen; Yong-Jun Xu; Lai-En Xue; Yun-Feng Fu; Lin-Lin Cui; Jun-Zhu Wang; He-Ping Zheng; Dong-Hui Zhou; Jun Lu

doi:10.3389/fphys.2023.1176998

Proteomics analyses of acute kidney injury biomarkers in a rat exertional heat stroke model

Front Physiol. 2023 Jun 12:14:1176998. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1176998. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Fu-Li Wen^{1

2}, Yong-Jun Xu¹, Lai-En Xue¹, Yun-Feng Fu¹, Lin-Lin Cui¹, Jun-Zhu Wang¹, He-Ping Zheng¹, Dong-Hui Zhou³, Jun Lu¹

Affiliations

¹ Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Transplant Biology, 900 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Team, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
² Center for Experimental Research in Clinical Medicine, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Shengli Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China.
³ Key Laboratory of Fujian-Taiwan Animal Pathogen Biology, College of Animal Sciences (College of Bee Science), Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, China.

Abstract

The frequency of exertional heat stroke (EHS) increases with the gradual elevation of global temperatures during summer. Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common complication of EHS, and its occurrence often indicates the worsening of a patient's condition or a poor prognosis. In this study, a rat model of AKI caused by EHS was established, and the reliability of the model was evaluated by HE staining and biochemical assays. The expression of kidney tissue proteins in the EHS rats was analyzed using label-free liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 3,129 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were obtained, and 10 key proteins were finally identified, which included three upregulated proteins (Ahsg, Bpgm, and Litaf) and seven downregulated proteins (medium-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 2 (Acsm2), Hadha, Keg1, Sh3glb1, Eif3d, Ambp, and Ddah2). The qPCR technique was used to validate these 10 potential biomarkers in rat kidney and urine. In addition, Acsm2 and Ahsg were double-validated by Western blotting. Overall, this study identified 10 reliable biomarkers that may provide potential targets for the treatment of AKI caused by EHS.

Keywords: AHSG; Acsm2; acute kidney injury; biomarkers; exertional heatstroke; proteomics.

Grants and funding

The present study was supported by the special scientific research projects for laboratory animals, PLA (grant numbers: SYDW [2018]15 and SYDW [2020]16); special scientific research projects of outstanding youth cultivation in 900 hospital (grant numbers: 2019Q04); the scientific research youth project of Fujian Health Committee (grant numbers: 2022QNA001); and startup fund for scientific research, Fujian Medical University (Grant number: 2022QH1284).