"Since the incidence of death remains high in patients with damaged kidneys, prevention or early treatment of acute kidney failure will increase survival."

The study showed that the damaging protein is released rapidly, in response to diminished blood flow, in mice that have the active TSP-1 gene. TSP-1 also killed kidney cells when exposed to them in a Petri dish.

"Most importantly," Dr. Soleimani said, "we found that genetically engineered mice, which lack TSP-1 protein, were significantly protected from kidney damage. Mice without TSP-1 preserved their kidney function relatively well, even after being subjected to a 30-minute disruption of blood flow to the kidneys.

"Consequently, this study raises an important possibility that TSP-1 may serve as a target for preventing or successfully treating acute kidney failure," Dr. Soleimani said.

'"/>

Contact: Sheryl Hilton
sheryl.hilton@uc.edu
513-558-4561
University of Cincinnati
17-Nov-2005