Diet induced obesity in rats reduces NHE3 and Na /K -ATPase expression in the kidney

Abstract

The consumption of a high fat diet (HFD) is associated with proteinuria and altered sodium handling and excretion, which can lead to kidney disease. In the proximal tubule, the Na+/H+ Exchanger 3 (NHE3) is responsible for normal protein reabsorption and the reabsorption of approximately 70% of the renal sodium load. It is the Na+/K+-ATPase that provides the driving force for the reabsorption of sodium and its exit across the basolateral membrane. This study investigates the effects that consumption of a HFD for 12 weeks has on NHE3 and Na+/K+-ATPase expression in the kidney. Western blot analysis identified a significant reduction in NHE3 and its modulator, phosphorylated protein kinase B, i..