Beneficial Effects of Thiazolidinediones on Diabetic Nephropathy in OLETF Rats.
10.3349/ymj.2007.48.2.301
- Author:
Mi Young LEE
1
;
Eun Young LEE
;
Byung Jun LEE
;
Chan Sik WON
;
Jang Hyun KOH
;
Jang Yel SHIN
;
Young Goo SHIN
;
Byung Pil CHO
;
Choon Hee CHUNG
Author Information
1. Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, Wonju, Korea. cchung@yonsei.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Diabetes mellitus;
diabetic nephropathy;
thiazolidinediones;
vascular endothelial growth factor
- MeSH:
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/genetics;
Thiazolidinediones/*therapeutic use;
Rats, Long-Evans;
Rats;
Male;
Hypoglycemic Agents/therapeutic use;
Disease Models, Animal;
Diabetic Nephropathies/*drug therapy;
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*drug therapy;
Animals
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
2007;48(2):301-307
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Diabetic nephropathy is the most serious of complications in diabetes mellitus. Thiazolidinedione (TZD) is thought to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy; however, the mechanism underlying this effect has not been elucidated. We hypothesized that the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) participates in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy and that TZD may be beneficial for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy because of the effect it has on VEGF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 23 Otsuka- Long-Evans-Tokushima-Fatty (OLETF) rats and eight control Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka (LETO) rats were divided into the following four groups: LETO group, control OLETF group, pioglitazone treated group (10mg/kg/day), and rosiglitazone treated group (3mg/kg/day). RESULTS: A progressive increase in urinary protein excretion was observed in the diabetic rats. Glomerular VEGF expression in the control OLETF rats was significantly higher than in the control LETO rats. However, there was a significant reduction in both the glomerular VEGF expression and the VEGF mRNA levels after treatment with pioglitazone and rosiglitazone. The twenty-four hour urine protein levels were significantly decreased in both groups of the treated OLETF rats. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that TZD may have beneficial effects on diabetic nephropathy by reducing the VEGF expression.