Protective effect of the valsartan on the podocytes of rats with diabetic nephropathy

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1002-7386.2015.24.003

Abstract：Objective To investigate the protective effect of valsartan on the podocytes of rats with diabetic nephropathy ( DN) .Methods The rat models with DN were established,then the 10 rats with DN were served as DN group, the other 10 rats were served as valsartan group,moreover,a control group was established.These rats were sacrificed at the end of 13 weeks,and the renal tissues specimens were collected.The expression levels of MCP-1,ICAM-1,nephrin and podocin were detected by Western Blot. The pathological changes of renal tissues were observed under transmission electron microscope.Results The expression levels of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 in DN group were obviously increased ( P <0.05 ) , however, the expression levels of nephrin and podocin were significantly decreased, moreover, the glomerular basement membrane was obviously thickened during the fusion of podocytes.As compared with those in DN group,the expression levels of MCP-1 and ICAM-1 in control group were obviously decreased ( P <0.05), but the expression levels of nephrin and podocin were significantly increased, furthermore, the pathological changes of glomerular basement membrane were alleviated. Conclusion Valsartan can inhibit the apoptosis of podocytes, decrease urine protein and delay the pathogenesis and development of DN by decreasing inflammatory reaction.