Free radical defenses in the liver and kidney of human growth hormone transgenic mice: Possible mechanisms of early mortality

The long-term effects of growth hormone (GH) administration are unknown. Although limited data on its short-term effects purport health benefits, numerous detrimental effects are the consequence of chronically elevated GH. We used spectrophotometric assay and Western blot to determine the effects of chronic GH excess on hepatic and renal antioxidant enzymes (AOEs) in young and middle-aged PEPCK (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) hGH (human GH) transgenic mice. In the liver, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was reduced in transgenics of both age groups, catalase was reduced only in young transgenics, and Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) was similar to normal mice, but declined with age. In all groups, hepatic AOE activity correlated significantly with AOE level. In the kidney, AOEs in young transgenics were similar to those of normal mice. However, middle-aged transgenics showed reduced renal SOD and GPx activities when compared! with young transgenic or middle-aged normal mice. Similarly, renal SOD and GPx levels in middle-aged transgenics were reduced when compared with those of middle-aged normal mice. AOE activity in the kidney correlated significantly with AOE protein level among middle-aged animals only. These data suggest the following: (1) GH excess is associated with early declines in SOD and GPx in the kidney and reductions of hepatic GPx at all ages examined, perhaps increasing the risk of free radical-induced damage to these tissues; (2) in the liver of young animals and in the liver and kidney of middle-aged animals, AOE activity reflects the amount of enzyme protein; and (3) age-related reductions in GPx in transgenics may be related to the increased incidence of liver tumors and renal failure in these animals.