[Effects of simvastatin on TGF-beta system of diabetic rat kidneys].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects and mechanism of renal benefit of simvastatin on diabetic rat kidneys.


METHODS
Twenty STZ-induced SD rats and 10 normal rats were assigned to diabetic rat (DM) group, simvastatin [ 4 mg/( kg x d) ] treatment (S) group and normal control (C) group. Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR and western-blot were employed to examine the changes of the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Tbeta II R in the kidneys of the rats.


RESULTS
Compared with the normal control group, both the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Tbeta II R in the diabetic rat group and treatment group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). Compared with the diabetic rat group, simvastatin could markedly decrease the mRNA and protein expression of TGF-beta1 and Tbeta II R (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Simvastatim may play a protective role in the diabetic kidneys by down-regulating TGF-beta1 and Tbeta II R and inhibiting the TGF-beta signal pathway.
Chen
Zhuo-Xiong
ZX
Department of Endocrinology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Leimx@126.com
Lei
Min-Xiang
MX
Zhu
Li-Fang
LF
Zhang
Jun
J
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000517:prevention & control; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018125:Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D019821:Simvastatin