Interaction of oxidative stress, nitric oxide and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ in acute renal failure

Oxidative stress has been reported to play a critical role in the pathology of acute renal failure (ARF). An interaction between different reactive species and/or their sources have been the focus of extensive studies. The exact sources of reactive species generated in biological systems under different disease states are always elusive because they are also a part of physiological processes. Exaggerated involvement of different oxidation pathways including NAD(P)H oxidase has been proposed in different models of ARF. An interaction between oxygen species and nitrogen species has drawn extensive attention because of the deleterious effects of peroxynitrite and their possible effects on antioxidant systems. Recent advances in molecular biology have allowed us to understand glomerular function more precisely, especially the organization and importance of the slit diaphragm. Identification of slit diaphragm proteins came as a breakthrough and a possibility of therapeutic manipulation in ARF is encouraging. Transcriptional regulation of the expression of slit diaphragm protein is of particular importance because their presence is crucial in the maintenance of glomerular function. This review highlights the involvement of oxidative stress in ARF, sources of these reactive species, a possible interaction between different reactive species, and involvement of PPARγ, a nuclear transcription factor in this process.