Effects of finasteride on microvascular density and VEGF expression in glomeruli of diabetic mice

Objective 　To investigate the effects of finasteride on microvascular density and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression in glomeruli of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. Methods 　Diabetes was induced in mice with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in a dose of 150mg/kg, and they were randomly divided into 4 groups (7 each): diabetic model group and 3 treatment groups (treated with 0.1, 1, 10mg/kg of finasteride, respectively). Seven normal mice served as control group. Animals in finasteride treatment groups were intragastrically administered with finasteride 0.1, 1 and 10mg/kg once daily for 4 weeks, respectively, and those in control and diabetic model group were given the same volume of normal saline at the same time. The kidney sections from all mice were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) for the pathological study, and immunohistochemistry methods were performed to detect the microvascular density, and VEGF expression in glomeruli. Results 　Compared with control group, the glomerular area and volume, microvascular density and VEGF index were significantly increased in diabetic model and finasteride treated groups (P<0.05). However, the glomerular area and volume, microvessel density and VEGF index were significantly decreased in 10mg/kg finasteride treated group compared with that in diabetic model group (P<0.05). Conclusion 　Finasteride can inhibit the VEGF expression and decrease the glomerular microvascular density in diabetic mice.