Research Article

The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue

Volume: 52 March 17, 2026
TR EN

The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue

Abstract

Copper (Cu) is a cofactor for most enzymes and an essential trace element. However, elevated levels of Cu exposure cause toxic effects in various tissues. Aquaporins (AQP) are integral membrane proteins that play a key role in fluid transport, particularly in kidney tissues. In our study, we aimed to evaluate the expression of AQP-1, -2, and -3 in the kidneys of female and male rats following the administration of high-dose copper sulfate (CuSO4). First, the control group (n=10) received saline via oral gavage, while the experimental group (CuSO4) (n=10) received 100 mg/kg/day via oral gavage for 14 days. Histopathological, PAS staining, and immunohistochemical evaluation of AQP-1, -2, and -3 were then performed on kidney tissues from the control and experimental groups. CuSO4 caused tubular vacuolization in the kidneys. CuSO4 administration decreased AQP-2 levels while increasing AQP-1 and AQP-3 levels. These findings suggest that CuSO4 may have re-modulated AQP-1 and AQP-3 levels due to the tubular vacuolization and degeneration it caused; however, the effect of CuSO4 on estrogen levels in females and the vasopressin effect via AQP-2 need to be investigated in detail.

Keywords

References

  1. 1. Fraga CG. Relevance, essentiality and toxicity of trace elements in human health. Mol Aspects Med. 2005;26(4-5):235-244.
  2. 2. Kumar V, Kalita J, Bora HK, Misra UK. Relationship of antioxidant and oxidative stress markers in different organs following copper toxicity in a rat model. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2016;293:37-43.
  3. 3. Valko M, Jomova K, Rhodes CJ, Kuca K, Musilek K. Redox- and non-redox-metal-induced formation of free radicals and their role in human disease. Arch Toxicol. 2016;90(1):1-37.
  4. 4. Shim H, Harris ZL. Genetic defects in copper metabolism. J Nutr. 2003;133(5 Suppl 1):1527S-1531S.
  5. 5. Scheiber IF, Mercer JF, Dringen R. Metabolism and functions of copper in brain. Prog Neurobiol. 2014;116:33-57.
  6. 6. Arnal N, Dominici L, de Tacconi MJ, Marra CA. Copper-induced alterations in rat brain depends on route of overload and basal copper levels. Nutrition. 2014;30(1):96-106.
  7. 7. Kozlowski H, Janicka-Klos A, Brasun J, et al. Copper, iron, and zinc ions homeostasis and their role in neurodegenerative disorders (metal uptake, transport, distribution and regulation). Coordination Chemistry Reviews. 2009;253(21-22):2665-2685.
  8. 8. Toyokini S OS, Hamazaki S, Fujoka M, Li JL, Midorikawa O. Cirrhosis of the liver induced by cupric nitrilotriacetate in Wistar rats. An experimental model of copper toxicosis. Am J Pathol. 1989;134:1263-1274.

Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Pathology

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

March 17, 2026

Submission Date

February 11, 2026

Acceptance Date

March 9, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 52

APA
Kahveci, S., Selvi, T., Varinli, Ş., Bor, T. B., Doğanyiğit, Z., Öztürks, O., Okan Oflamaz, A., Uçar, S., & Yılmaz, S. (2026). The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, 52, 1886172. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1886172
AMA
1.Kahveci S, Selvi T, Varinli Ş, et al. The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026;52:1886172. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1886172
Chicago
Kahveci, Selda, Tahsin Selvi, Şaban Varinli, et al. 2026. “The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 (March): 1886172. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1886172.
EndNote
Kahveci S, Selvi T, Varinli Ş, Bor TB, Doğanyiğit Z, Öztürks O, Okan Oflamaz A, Uçar S, Yılmaz S (March 1, 2026) The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 1886172.
IEEE
[1]S. Kahveci et al., “The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue”, Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 52, p. 1886172, Mar. 2026, doi: 10.32708/uutfd.1886172.
ISNAD
Kahveci, Selda - Selvi, Tahsin - Varinli, Şaban - Bor, Taha Berkay - Doğanyiğit, Züleyha - Öztürks, Osman - Okan Oflamaz, Aslı - Uçar, Sümeyye - Yılmaz, Seher. “The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty 52 (March 1, 2026): 1886172. https://doi.org/10.32708/uutfd.1886172.
JAMA
1.Kahveci S, Selvi T, Varinli Ş, Bor TB, Doğanyiğit Z, Öztürks O, Okan Oflamaz A, Uçar S, Yılmaz S. The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026;52:1886172.
MLA
Kahveci, Selda, et al. “The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue”. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty, vol. 52, Mar. 2026, p. 1886172, doi:10.32708/uutfd.1886172.
Vancouver
1.Selda Kahveci, Tahsin Selvi, Şaban Varinli, Taha Berkay Bor, Züleyha Doğanyiğit, Osman Öztürks, Aslı Okan Oflamaz, Sümeyye Uçar, Seher Yılmaz. The Effect of Copper Sulfate on Aquaporins in Kidney Tissue. Journal of Uludağ University Medical Faculty. 2026 Mar. 1;52:1886172. doi:10.32708/uutfd.1886172

ISSN: 1300-414X, e-ISSN: 2645-9027

Creative Commons License
Journal of Uludag University Medical Faculty is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
2023