Differential effects of selective endothelin type a receptor antagonist on the gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptors in streptozotocin-induced diabetic heart

Cardiovascular complications are an important feature of diabetes mellitus (DM). Abnormal and decreased coronary collateral development has been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiac complications in DM. More recently, decreased expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors has been found in diabetic heart. To our knowledge, no study has focused on the therapeutic improvement associated with VEGF in diabetic heart. DM was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats, while control rats received only citrate buffer. After 1 week, the streptozotocin-treated rats were randomly divided into two groups: one group received the selective endothelin (ET) type A receptor antagonist TA-0201 at a dose of 1 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks by osmotic mini-pump, and the vehicle group received saline only. The plasma glucose level was 504 +/- 75 mg/dl in the diabetic rats and was unchanged by treatment with ET antagonist. The body weight was decreased in the diabetic rats compared with the control rats, but the left ventricular (LV)-body weight ratio was increased in the diabetic group and was unaffected by treatment with ET antagonist. mRNA expression of VEGF and its receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1) in the LV tissues was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. VEGF expression was significantly decreased in diabetic heart and was greatly improved by treatment with ET antagonist. The expression of VEGF receptors was down-regulated in early diabetic heart but was not recovered by treatment with ET antagonist. ET and its receptor A might have differential regulation on the gene expressions of VEGF and its receptors in early diabetic heart.     

姜黄素类似物L6H4对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的：探讨姜黄素类似物L6H4对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用及机制。方法：24只SPF级雄性SD大鼠,随机分成3组（n=8）：对照组（NC组）、糖尿病组（DM组）和糖尿病治疗组（DT组）,采用高脂饮食加腹腔注射低剂量链脲佐菌素诱导2型糖尿病大鼠模型。DT组按0.2 mg/kg·d剂量的L6H4灌胃8周。治疗结束后测24 h尿蛋白、空腹血糖（FBG）、甘油三酯（TG）、血肌酐（Scr）、血尿素氮（BUN）、尿酸（UA）。采用光镜和透射电镜观察大鼠肾脏的形态学改变;用免疫组化法测定大鼠肾脏组织转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、纤维粘连蛋白（FN）、四型胶原（Col-IV）的表达水平。结果：DM组大鼠24 h尿蛋白、FBG、TG、Scr、BUN均明显升高（P<0.01）,肾小球体积增大、不规则,弥漫性系膜基质增多,伴基底膜不同程度的增生肥厚及足突融合现象;肾组织的TGF-β1、FN、Col-IV表达水平明显增加（P<0.05）。经L6H4治疗后,DT组的24 h尿蛋白、FBG、TG、Scr、BUN水平明显下降（P<0.01）,大鼠肾小球形态较规则,系膜区基质明显减少,足细胞肿胀、融合现象减轻;肾组织的TGF-β1、FN、Col-IV表达明显减少（P<0.05）。结论：L6H4可能通过下调TGF-β1的表达,抑制FN、Col-IV的大量分泌,减轻细胞外基质的沉积,从而起到保护2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的作用。     

硫化氢对1型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的：观察硫化氢（H₂S）对1型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用及其机制。方法：32只雄性SD大鼠随机分为4组：正常对照（NC）组、糖尿病（DM）组、糖尿病治疗（NaHS+DM）组和NaHS对照（NaHS）组（n=8）。DM组和NaHS+DM组大鼠采用链脲佐菌素（STZ）55 mg/kg腹腔注射诱导1型糖尿病模型。造模成功后,NaHS+DM组和NaHS组采用腹腔注射NaHS溶液56 μmol/kg干预治疗。8周后,测定大鼠24 h尿蛋白含量、肾重指数、空腹血糖、尿素氮、肌酐等指标;HE染色观察肾脏组织形态学变化;测定肾脏组织脂质过氧化物丙二醛（MDA）含量、超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）和Caspase-3的活性;Western blot检测肾脏组织Bcl-2和Bax蛋白表达。结果：与NC组相比,NaHS组各项指标均无显著差异,DM组,24 h尿蛋白含量、肾重指数、空腹血糖、尿素氮和肌酐水平均明显升高;HE染色结果显示肾小球基底膜增厚、系膜基质增多;MDA含量、Caspase-3活性和Bax蛋白表达明显增高;SOD活性和Bcl-2蛋白表达显著降低。与DM组相比,NaHS+DM组肾功能损伤明显减轻,肾脏组织形态学变化明显改善,MDA含量、Caspase-3活性和Bax蛋白表达明显下降,SOD活性和Bcl-2蛋白表达显著增高。结论：H₂S对1型糖尿病大鼠肾脏具有保护作用,其机制可能与抑制氧化应激和细胞凋亡有关。     

Nephro-protective effect of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most serious complications of diabetes and the major cause of end-stage renal failure. Consequences of diabetic nephropathy include increased kidney size and glomerular volume, thickening of basement membranes and progressive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Reports in the literature support an association between increased secretion of inflammatory molecules, such as cytokines, growth factors and metalloproteinases, and development of diabetic nephropathy. We investigated the potential of granulocyte colony- stimulating factor (G-CSF) as a therapeutic candidate for preventing diabetic nephropathy. We used 21 8-week-old male rats; 14 were administered a single dose of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. The rats were divided into three groups of seven: group 1, control; group 2, diabetic; group 3, diabetic plus G-CSF treatment. After 4 weeks, immunoexpressions of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), Akt and CD34 levels were measured in the kidney tissue. Blood glucose, urine protein and the glomerular area also were measured for each group. We found that G-CSF treatment decreased TGF-β1 immunoexpression, urine protein and glomerular area in kidneys of diabetic rats, and increased CD 34 and Akt immunoexpression in kidneys of diabetic rats. The effects of G-CSF were independent of blood glucose levels. G-CSF may be a useful therapeutic agent for preventing diabetic nephropathy.     

虫草素对慢性肾脏病大鼠血管内皮损伤的保护作用及其机制

摘要 目的：探讨虫草素对慢性肾脏病(chronic kidney disease,CKD)大鼠血管内皮损伤的保护作用及其机制。方法：慢性肾脏病大鼠(n=48)随机平分为四组-模型组、虫草素高剂量组、虫草素中剂量组、虫草素低剂量组,虫草素高剂量组、虫草素中剂量组、虫草素低剂量组,分别给予虫草素160 mg/kg、80 mg/kg、40 mg/kg,模型组灌胃给予等量生理盐水,每天1次,连续给药治疗2周。结果：虫草素高剂量组、虫草素中剂量组、虫草素低剂量组治疗1周、治疗2周的24 h尿量、血清尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen,BUN)与肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)水平都低于模型组(P<0.05),体重都高于模型组(P<0.05),不同剂量组别之间对比差异也有统计学意义(P<0.05)。虫草素高剂量组、虫草素中剂量组、虫草素低剂量组治疗2周的结缔组织生长因子(Connective tissue growth factor,CTGF)、血管内皮生长因子(Vascular endothelial growth factor,VEGF)蛋白相对表达水平高于模型组(P<0.05),肾小球硬化指数、肾小管损伤评分都低于模型组(P<0.05),不同剂量组别之间对比差异也有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论：虫草素在慢性肾脏病大鼠的应用能发挥血管内皮损伤保护作用,促进改善大鼠的肾功能,提高大鼠的体重,且具有剂量依赖性。     

海藻溴酚化合物对糖尿病大鼠抗氧化水平的影响

目的:本研究通过建立糖尿病大鼠动物模型,观察海藻溴酚化合物A、B对糖尿病大鼠机体抗氧化水平的影响。方法:采用STZ注射法制作糖尿病(DM)大鼠模型,随机分为空白对照组、糖尿病模型组、化合物A低剂量组及高剂量组、化合物B低剂量组及高剂量组,灌胃给药12周。12周末处死大鼠,测肾匀浆中谷胱甘肽过氧物酶(GSH-Px)的活力及丙二醛(MDA)的含量;并采用透射电镜观察大鼠肾组织的病理改变。结果:与空白对照组相比,糖尿病模型组肾组织匀浆中GSH-Px活力下降,MDA含量升高,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。各干预组中GSH-Px的活力较糖尿病模型组有升高的趋势,MDA含量有下降趋势。电镜下各干预组肾小球及肾小管病变较糖尿病组减轻,且高剂量组优于低剂量组。结论:溴酚化合物A、B能提高糖尿病大鼠机体抗氧化水平,并能一定程度的改善肾脏病理改化,但其具体机制有待进一步探讨。     

Resveratrol ameliorates early diabetic nephropathy associated with suppression of augmented TGF-β/smad and ERK1/2 signaling in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the major cause of end-stage renal disease. The early changes in DN are characterized by an increased in kidney size, glomerular volume, and kidney function, followed by the accumulation of glomerular extracellular matrix, increased urinary albumin excretion (UAE), glomerular sclerosis, and tubular fibrosis. Resveratrol (RSV) has been shown to ameliorate hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. In the present study, we examined the beneficial effects of RSV on DN and explored the possible mechanism of RSV action.Male Sprague–Dawley rats were injected with streptozotocin at 65 mg/kg body weight. The induction of diabetes mellitus (DM) was confirmed by a fasting plasma glucose level ≥300 mg/dL and symptoms of polyphagia and polydipsia. The DM rats were treated with or without RSV at 0.75 mg/kg body weight 3 times a day for 8 weeks. Animals were sacrificed and kidney histology was examined by microscopy. Urinary albumin excretion, glomerular hypertrophy and expressions of fibronectin, collagen IV, and TGF-β in the glomeruli were alleviated in RSV-treated DM rats, but not in untreated DM rats. In addition, RSV treatment reduced the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane (GBM) to the original thickness and increased nephrin expressions to normal levels in DM rats. Moreover, RSV inhibited phosphorylation of smad2, smad3 and ERK1/2 in diabetic rat kidneys. This is the first report showing that RSV alleviates early glomerulosclerosis in DN through TGF-β/smad and ERK1/2 inhibition. In addition, podocyte injuries of diabetic kidneys are lessened by RSV.     

Effect of endothelin dual receptor antagonist on VEGF levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat retina

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), one of the most serious causes of blindness, is often associated with the upregulation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retina. Recently, leukocyte adhesion (leukostasis) is blamed for the occlusion of retinal capillary vascularity, which ultimately contributes to the progression of diabetic retinopathy. In addition, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), a representative factor for leukostasis, is increased in the diabetic retina. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasoconstrictor peptide, is deeply linked to the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Different therapeutic interventions concerning VEGF have already been proposed to prevent diabetic retinopathy. However, no study yet has reported whether ET-1 dual receptor antagonist could alter the upregulated VEGF and ICAM-1 levels in the diabetic retina. The present study investigated the effect of ET(A/B) dual receptor antagonist (SB209670; 1 mg/rat/day) on the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 in the diabetic rat retina. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ; 65 mg/kg) in Sprague-Dawley rats, whereas control rats (non-DM control) received only citrate buffer. After 1 week, the STZ-administered rats were randomly divided into two groups: one group (DM+SB209670) received ET(A/B) dual receptor antagonist for 2 weeks, and a vehicle group (DM+vehicle) was treated only with saline. After the treatment period, the retinas were removed from the eyeballs. In DM+vehicle group, the VEGF expression of the retinas was significantly increased (32.8 pg/mg) in comparison to that in the non-DM control group (26.2 pg/mg); this upregulation of VEGF was reversed in the DM+SB209670 group (28.6 pg/mg). The expression of retinal ICAM-1 was increased in the DM+vehicle group (152.2 pg/mg) compared with the non-DM control group (121.6 pg/mg). However, SB209670 treatment did not alter the expression of retinal ICAM-1 level (154.8 pg/ml) in DM rats. Thus we conclude that an ET(A/B) dual receptor antagonist could reverse the expression level of VEGF in the diabetic retina while failing to normalize the upregulated ICAM-1 expression.     

Matrix metalloproteinases cleave connective tissue growth factor and reactivate angiogenic activity of vascular endothelial growth factor 165

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a potent angiogenic mitogen, plays a crucial role in angiogenesis under various pathophysiological conditions. We have recently demonstrated that VEGF(165), one of the VEGF isoforms, binds connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and that its angiogenic activity is inhibited in the VEGF(165).CTGF complex form (Inoki, I., Shiomi, T., Hashimoto, G., Enomoto, H., Nakamura, H., Makino, K., Ikeda, E., Takata, S., Kobayashi, K. and Okada, Y. (2002) FASEB J. 16, 219-221). In the present study, we further examined the susceptibility of the VEGF(165).CTGF complex to matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, and -13), ADAMTS4 (aggrecanase-1), and serine proteinases, and evaluated the recovery of the angiogenic activity of VEGF(165) after the treatment. Among the MMPs, MMP-1, -3, -7, and -13 processed CTGF of the complex into the major NH(2)- and COOH-terminal fragments, whereas VEGF(165) was completely resistant to the MMPs. On the other hand, elastase and plasmin cleaved both CTGF and VEGF(165) of the complex, but they were completely resistant to ADAMTS4. By digestion of the immobilized VEGF(165).CTGF complex with MMP-3 or MMP-7, both NH(2)- and COOH-terminal fragments of CTGF were dissociated and released from the complex into the liquid phase. The in vitro angiogenic activity of VEGF(165) blocked in the VEGF(165).CTGF complex was reactivated to original levels after CTGF digestion of the complex with MMP-1, -3, and -13. Recovery of angiogenic activity was further confirmed by in vivo angiogenesis assay using a Matrigel injection model in mice. These results demonstrate for the first time that CTGF is a substrate of MMPs and that the angiogenic activity of VEGF(165) suppressed by the complex formation with CTGF is recovered through the selective degradation of CTGF by MMPs. MMPs may play a novel role through CTGF degradation in VEGF-induced angiogenesis during embryonic development, tissue maintenance, and/or pathological processes of various diseases.     

厄贝沙坦对抗糖尿病大鼠心肌纤维化作用及机制

目的：观察厄贝沙坦对抗糖尿病大鼠心肌纤维化的作用,并分析细胞外调节信号激酶（ERK）通路在其中的作用。方法：健康雄性SD大鼠32只,随机分成两组：正常对照组（CON,n=10）,实验组（n=22）。实验组糖尿病造模成功20只,随机分为2组（n=10）：糖尿病组（DM）、厄贝沙坦+糖尿病组（Ir+DM）。8周后测定空腹血糖（FBG）水平,计算各组大鼠体重（BW）、心体比（H/B）和左室重量指数（LVWI）;Masson染色观察心肌形态及纤维化的发生;ELISA检测心肌组织胶原Ⅰ（colⅠ）、胶原Ⅲ（colⅢ）含量;Western blot检测心肌组织ERK1/2、p-ERK1/2蛋白的表达。结果：与CON组相比,DM组大鼠FBG水平、H/B、LVWI显著升高,体重显著减轻,colⅠ、colⅢ含量显著增加,心肌组织p-ERK1/2蛋白表达及p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2比值增加（P<0.05,P<0.01）,ERK1/2无明显变化。Masson染色显示DM组心肌胶原纤维粗大,交织成网状,排列分布不均,沉积增多。与DM组大鼠相比,厄贝沙坦干预后大鼠体重明显增加,H/B、LVWI、心肌组织colⅠ、colⅢ含量明显降低（P<0.05,P<0.01）,p-ERK1/2蛋白表达及p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2比值降低（P<0.01）,且心肌形态改善明显。结论：糖尿病可诱导心肌纤维化的发生,厄贝沙坦可通过抑制ERK的活化减轻糖尿病诱导的心肌纤维化损伤。     

Amelioration of altered serum,liver, and kidney antioxidant enzymes activities by sodium selenite in alloxan-induced diabetic rats

Background:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible protective effect of sodium selenite on serum, liver, and kidney antioxidant enzymes activities in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats.

Methods:

Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups; Group one as control, Group two as sham-treated with sodium selenite by 1 mg/kg intraperitoneal (i.p.) injections daily, Group three as diabetic untreated, and Group four as diabetic treated with sodium selenite by 1 mg/kg i.p. injections daily .Diabetes was induced in the third and fourth groups by subcutaneous alloxan injections. After eight weeks the animals were euthanized and livers and kidneys were immediately removed and used fresh or kept frozen until analysis. Before the rats were killed blood samples were also collected to measure glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and catalase (CAT) activities in sera.

Results:

Glutathione peroxidase and CAT activities serum, liver, and kidney were all significantly less in the diabetic rats than in the controls. Sodium selenite treatment of the diabetic rats resulted in significant increases in GPX activity in the kidneys and livers, and CAT activity in the sera and livers.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that sodium selenite might be a potent antioxidant that exerts beneficial effects on both GPX and CAT activities in alloxan-induced type 1 diabetic rats. Key Words: Diabetes, Rat, Sodium selenite, Antioxidant enzymes activity     

Effect of antioxidant <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetylcysteine on diabetic retinopathy and expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 from retinal blood vessels of diabetic rats

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of blindness globally and its pathogenesis has still not been completely elucidated. Some studies show a close relation between oxidative stress and DR. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of anti-oxidant in DR and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) from retinal blood vessels in diabetic rats. Diabetic rat models were established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and confirmation of high serum glucose levels in the animals. Antioxidant N-acetylcysteine was given to diabetic rats to elicit antioxidative responses, and rats were sacrificed at 3 and 5 months. Ultrastructures of retinal vascular tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope, and pathology of retinal capillaries was examined using retinal vascular digest preparations. Changes in the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 were examined by immunofluorescence; and reactive oxygen species contents in the retinas were detected using dichlorofluorescein assay. Compared with normal rats, diabetic rats displayed significant retinopathy both under electronic and light microscopy, accompanied by elevated reactive oxygen species contents in the retinas; N-acetylcysteine treatment alleviated the pathological changes and also decreased reactive oxygen species, most significantly at 5 months. VEGF and ICAM-1 expressions were significantly up-regulated in retinal blood vessels from diabetic rats, and such up-regulation was attenuated by N-acetylcysteine treatment. The expression of both factors returned to basal levels after 5-month treatment with N-acetylcysteine. Long-term N-acetylcysteine treatment exerts protective effects on the diabetic retinas, possibly through its down-regulation of the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1, and reduction of reactive oxygen species content in retinal vascular tissues in diabetic rats.     

硫化氢对糖尿病大鼠肾脏纤维化的影响及其机制

目的：观察硫化氢（H₂S）对糖尿病大鼠肾脏组织纤维化的影响并探讨其作用机制。方法：雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照（NC）组、糖尿病对照（DC）组、糖尿病+硫氢化钠（DM+NaHS）组和糖尿病+炔丙基甘氨酸（DM+PAG）组,每组8只。采用一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素的方法制备1型糖尿病大鼠模型。造模成功4周后,DM+NaHS组和DM+PAG组大鼠每天分别腹腔注射56 μmol/kg NaHS和40 mg/kg PAG溶液。处理4周后,测定各组大鼠空腹血糖（FBG）、尿素氮（BUN）和肌酐（SCr）水平;Masson染色观察肾脏组织胶原纤维变化,计算胶原容积分数（CVF）;透射电镜观察肾脏超微结构;利用试剂盒检测肾组织白细胞介素1β（IL-1β）、白细胞介素6（IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子α（TNF-α）和羟脯氨酸（Hyp）水平;Western blot测肾组织TGF-β1、Smad3、磷酸化Smad3（p-Smad3）和IV型胶原（col-IV）的蛋白表达水平。结果：与NC组比较,DC组FBG、BUN、SCr、CVF、IL-1β、IL-6、TNF-α和Hyp均明显增高,肾脏胶原纤维沉积、超微结构损伤明显加重,TGF-β1、Smad3、p-Smad3、p-Smad3/Smad3和col-IV表达均明显增加。与DC组比较,除FBG外,DM+NaHS组中上述指标均明显改善;而DM+PAG组中上述指标损伤均进一步加重。结论：H₂S可以减轻糖尿病大鼠肾脏纤维化,其机制可能与减少促炎因子释放,下调TGF-β1/Smad3通路,抑制肾脏col-IV过量生成相关。     

The effects of resveratrol on cyclooxygenase-1 and -2, nuclear factor kappa beta, matrix metalloproteinase-9, and sirtuin 1 mRNA expression in hearts of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Resveratrol (RSV) has a beneficial role in the prevention of diabetes and alleviates some diabetic complications, such as cardiomyopathy. We investigated cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1), COX-2, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) mRNA expression levels in heart tissue after RSV treatment in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. After induction of chronic diabetes with STZ, 10 mg RSV/kg per day was administered to DM and DM+RSV groups for four weeks. At the end of the experiment, all rats were sacrificed and heart tissues were stored at -80°C; mRNA expression levels of COX-1, COX-2, NF-κB, MMP-9, and SIRT1 genes were analyzed with quantitative real-time PCR. We did not find any significant effect of RSV on MMP-9, COX-1, COX-2, or NF-κB mRNA levels among the groups. However, SIRT1 mRNA levels decreased in the DM group compared to controls and increased in the DM+RSV group when compared to the DM group. SIRT1 is activated by RSV treatment in diabetic heart tissue. Activation of SIRT1 by RSV may lead to a new therapeutic approach for diabetic heart tissue. We conclude that RSV treatment can alleviate heart dysfunction by inhibiton of inflammatory gene expression such as SIRT1.     

辛伐他汀对糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用及其可能机制

目的：观察辛伐他汀对糖尿病大鼠肾脏损伤的保护作用并探讨其可能的分子机制。方法：24只SD大鼠随机分为正常对照（NC,n=8）组和糖尿病造模组（n=16）。糖尿病造模组大鼠采用55 mg/kg链脲佐菌素（STZ）单次腹腔注射的方法建立糖尿病大鼠模型。造模成功后,糖尿病模型大鼠随机分为糖尿病（DM）组和糖尿病+辛伐他汀（DM+Sim）组。DM+Sim组大鼠每天给予辛伐他汀40 mg/kg灌胃,1次/日,连续4周。采用组织病理学方法观察肾脏的形态学改变和间质纤维化;采用分子生物学方法检测肾脏组织中内质网应激、炎性因子的表达以及细胞凋亡。结果：①与NC组相比,DM组可见肾小球和肾小管间质有明显的病理学改变,胶原纤维明显红染,呈不均匀分布;DM+Sim组形态学以及纤维化有明显改善。②DM组大鼠肾组织GRP78、p-IRE1α、NF-κB p65、MCP-1表达均高于NC组（P<0.05）,DM+Sim组GRP78、p-IRE1α、NF-κB p65、MCP-1表达较DM组均下降（P<0.05）。③TUNEL法检测,NC组肾小球及肾小管存在少量凋亡的细胞,DM组肾小球及肾小管存在大量凋亡的细胞（P<0.01）;与DM组比较,DM+Sim组凋亡的细胞明显减少（P<0.01）。结论：给予糖尿病大鼠辛伐他汀后,肾脏形态学以及纤维化明显改善,细胞凋亡明显减少。其对糖尿病肾脏的保护作用与抑制内质网应激和NF-κB炎症信号通路及减少肾脏细胞的凋亡有关。     

The effects of resveratrol on cyclooxygenase-1 and cyclooxygenase-2 mRNA and protein levels in diabetic rat kidneys

Cyclooxygenase (COX), which have the isoforms of COX-1 and COX-2, is the key enzyme of prostaglandins biosynthesis. Especially, COX-2 is induced in inflammatory disease such as Diabetes Mellitus (DM). Resveratrol (RSV), a natural antioxidant, has a beneficial role in prevention of inflammatory disease. We investigated the changes of COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA expression and protein level in diabetic rat kidney after RSV treatment. Three months-old, 44 Wistar albino male rats, which were divided into six groups such as control group, sodium citrate buffer (sham control) group, diabetic group (DM), Dimethyl Sulfoxide induced control group, RSV treated sham control group (RSV) and RSV treated diabetic group (DM + RSV) were used for the study. Experimental diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 55 mg/kg Streptozotocin. After the induction of chronic diabetes 10 mg/kg per day RSV was administered intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. In this study. RSV has no significant effect on COX-1 mRNA expression in diabetic rat kidney (P > 0.05). Immunohistochemical study showed that COX-1 expression was slightly inhibited in RSV group and was not significantly supressed in DM + RSV group. When comparing control and treated groups, there were no significant differences in COX-2 mRNA or protein levels (P > 0.05). In conclusion, our results indicate that resveratrol do not significantly affect COX gene and protein expression. Therefore, different therapy strategies such as combination with other antidiabetic drugs may tried in STZ induced animal model for reducing diabetic symptoms and altering COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA or protein levels.     

beta1 antagonist and beta2 agonist, celiprolol, restores the impaired endothelial dependent and independent responses and decreased TNFalpha in rat with type II diabetes

The effect of beta antagonists in the diabetic vascular lesion is controversial. We investigated the effect of celiprolol hydrochloride, a beta1 antagonist and mild beta2 agonist, on the lesions and function in type II male Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) diabetic rats. OLETF rats were fed regular chow with or without atenolol (25 mg/kg/day) or celiprolol (100 mg/kg/day) treatment (group DM, no treatment; group DM-a, atenolol treatment; group DM-c, celiprolol treatment), and treatment was continued for 31 days. Separately, normoglycemic control rats, LETO, were prepared as group C. On day 3, endothelial cells of the right internal carotid artery were removed by balloon injury, and the rats were evaluated 4 weeks after balloon injury. The plasma glucose and lipid levels were unchanged throughout the treatment period. Intimal thickening was observed in the right carotid artery in the DM and DM-a groups; however, little thickening was observed in those of DM-c rats. Acetylcholine-induced NO-dependent relaxation in arteries was improved in DM-c rats compared with DM and DM-a rats (maximum relaxation DM 30.8+/-4.5, DM-a 37.4+/-3.9, DM-c 48.8+/-4.6%, *P<0.05 vs. DM for DM-c rats). Tone-related basal NO release and acetylcholine-induced NO-dependent relaxation in the arteries and plasma NO(x) (sum of NO(2)(-) and NO(3)(-)) were greater in DM-c and C groups than in DM and DM-a groups. The serum TNFalpha levels did not increase in DM-c rats compared with those of the DM or DM-a groups, and were comparable with those of group C. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, Celiprolol improves endothelial function in the arteries of OLETF rats, and further restore it 4 weeks after endothelial denudation in the arteries of OLETF rats. NO and O(2)(-) may have a role in the important underlying mechanisms by reducing the TNFalpha levels.     

Iron Increases Diabetes-Induced Kidney Injury and Oxidative Stress in Rats

Diabetic nephropathy is both a common and a severe complication of diabetes mellitus. Iron is an essential trace element. However, excess iron is toxic, playing a role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy. The present study aimed to determine the extent of the interaction between iron and type 2 diabetes in the kidney. Male rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control, iron (300-mg/kg iron dextran), diabetes (a single dose of intraperitoneal streptozotocin), and iron + diabetes group. Iron supplementation resulted in a higher liver iron content, and diabetic rats showed higher serum glucose compared with control rats, which confirmed the model as iron overload and diabetic. It was found that iron + diabetes group showed a greater degree of kidney pathological changes, a remarkable reduction in body weight, and a significant increase in relative kidney weight and iron accumulation in rat kidneys compared with iron or diabetes group. Moreover, malondialdehyde values in the kidney were higher in iron + diabetes group than in iron or diabetes group, sulfhydryl concentration and glutathione peroxidase activity were decreased by the diabetes and iron + diabetes groups, and protein oxidation and nitration levels were higher in the kidney of iron + diabetes group as compared to iron or diabetes group. However, iron supplementation did not elevate the glucose level of a diabetic further. These results suggested that iron increased the diabetic renal injury probably through increased oxidative/nitrative stress and reduced antioxidant capacity instead of promoting a rise in blood sugar levels; iron might be a potential cofactor of diabetic nephropathy, and strict control of iron would be important under diabetic state.     

Transforming growth factor-beta/connective tissue growth factor axis in the kidney

Transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGFbeta(1)) is recognized as both a fibrogenic and inflammatory cytokine and plays a critical role in the kidney pathophysiology. The dysregulation of TGFbeta(1) has been linked with the development of diabetic nephropathy. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) is a fibrogenic cytokine and is recognized as a downstream mediator of TGFbeta(1) in kidney fibrosis. TGFbeta(1) is involved in immunomodulation and fibrosis in the kidney. However, CTGF plays a more specific role in the fibrogenic pathways in the kidney proximal tubule cells. Moreover, CTGF facilitates TGFbeta(1) signaling and promotes renal fibrosis. This suggests CTGF could be a potential target for kidney fibrosis. Long-term inhibition and targeting TGFbeta(1) directly is problematic, therefore, a more fruitful direction targeting diabetic nephropathy may involve the development of therapeutic strategies specifically targeting CTGF.     

Alterations in lipid peroxidation,lipid profile,insulin sensitivity,and hepatic histopathological changes in diabetic rats following the treatment with Salvadora persica

We examined the effects of various partitions of Salvadora persica extract on lipid profile (LP), lipid peroxidation, and insulin sensitivity (IS) of diabetic rats. The rats were divided into normal control, diabetic control (DC), standard, sham, and test groups. The test groups were treated with an oral dose of 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg of crude, aqueous, and ethyl acetate partition of S. persica extract. After 21 days of experiment, the fasting blood glucose (FBS), LPs, lipid peroxidation, IS, liver enzymes levels, liver histopathology, and body weight alteration were evaluated. A significant decrease in FBS and lipid profile (except HDL) were observed in rats treated with various dose of extract compared with the DC rats ( P < 0.05). Treating diabetic rats with various extracts of S. persica meaningfully decreased the level of malondialdehyde ( P < 0.05). Animals treated with various dose of aqueous extract showed better results ( P < 0.01). On the basis of used indirect indexes to determine IS, all partitions of extracts showed anti-insulin resistance effects in diabetic rats. On the basis of our statistical analyzing, treating diabetic rats with all of the three extracts of S. persica decreased the elevated levels of alanine phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine transferase. Also, pathological changes in the liver tissue were reduced following treatment with the S. persica. In conclusion, our results give evidence that the S. persica extract, especially aqueous partition, has a healing effect on diabetes and can be considered as an alternative therapy for this disease.