[Cantharidin regulates intracellular ATP in G1/S-phase renal tubule epithelial cells].
OBJECTIVE: To study the mechanism of cantharidin in protecting F-actin microfilaments from disruption by hypoxic damage by observing the effects of cantharidin on intracellular ATP metabolism in G(1)/S-phase renal tubule epithelial cells (RTECs). METHODS: G1-phase RTECs were divided into cantharidin-treated group, exposed to sodium cyanide (CN) and cantharidin, hypoxic-group with CN exposure and non-treated control group. ATP levels were measured in the 3 groups with high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The concentration of CN exposure for 1 h, ATP level in the RTECs with cantharidin treatment were significantly higher than that in both hypoxic and non-treated control groups (14.50+/-0.26 mmol/g protein, 4.25+/-0.11 mmol/g protein, 8.58+/-0.13 mmol/g protein, respectively, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Cantharidin prevents the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton in hypoxic damage by preventing abnormal intracellular ATP metabolism.