title: Inhibition of both neutral endopeptidase and endothelin-converting enzyme by SLV306 reduces proteinuria and urinary albumin excretion in diabetic rats.
abstract: Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of diabetes associated with a poor prognosis which deteriorates to end-stage renal disease. Increased urinary excretion of protein and albumin are early clinical markers for diabetic renal disease and increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Diabetes causes activation of the renal endothelin system inducing renal damage. We analyzed the effects of SLV306, an inhibitor of both neutral endopeptidase and endothelin-converting enzyme, on diabetes-induced alterations of kidney function and morphology in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. The effects of SLV306 (30 mg/kg per day), captopril (10 mg/kg per day), and placebo on urinary protein and albumin excretion as well as on blood pressure were studied in diabetic rats in comparison to non-diabetic control rats. The rats were treated for 20 weeks. At the end of the study kidney morphology was also analyzed using computer-aided image analysis systems. Serum glucose and blood pressure were similar in all diabetic groups. No side-effects were observed with SLV306 and captopril treatment. Protein excretion was 17.3 +/- 3.0 mg/24 hours in untreated diabetic rats. Protein excretion decreased significantly in the SLV306 (4.8 +/- 0.9 mg/24 hours; P = 0.03 vs untreated diabetic rats) as well as in the captopril (5.1 +/- 1.0 mg/24 hours; P = 0.03 vs untreated diabetic rats) -treated diabetic rats. Albumin excretion was 0.51 +/- 0.12 mg/24 hours in the untreated diabetic group and decreased likewise in the SLV306-treated diabetic rats (0.09 +/- 0.03 mg/24 hours; P = 0.04 vs untreated diabetic rats). The captopril-treated diabetic rats showed a strong trend towards reduced albumin excretion (0.12 +/- 0.04 mg/24 hours; P = 0.06 vs untreated diabetic rats). Computer-aided image analysis revealed that renal interstitial matrix content was significantly decreased in diabetic rats treated with either the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or the neutral endopeptidase/endothelin-converting enzyme inhibitor as compared to untreated diabetic rats. It was found that SLV306 decreases renal matrix protein content as well as protein and albumin excretion in diabetic rats independent of blood pressure. These effects are comparable to those of angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibition.
authors.affiliation: German Institute of Nutrition, Bergholz-Rehbrücke, Germany.
authors.forename: Christa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thöne-Reinke
authors.forename: Katja
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Simon
authors.forename: Claus-Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Godes
authors.forename: Hans-H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Neumayer
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Thormählen
authors.forename: Berthold
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hocher
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000419:Albuminuria / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000187:drug effects; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002216:Captopril / Q000494:pharmacology; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000201:enzymology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes; D005355:Fibrosis; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D015260:Neprilysin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011507:Proteinuria / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001552:Benzazepines; D001786:Blood Glucose; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; C405520:SLV 306; D002216:Captopril; D016282:Aspartic Acid Endopeptidases; D008666:Metalloendopeptidases; D015260:Neprilysin; D000072396:Endothelin-Converting Enzymes