Fenofibrate attenuates diabetic nephropathy in experimental diabetic rat's model via suppression of augmented TGF- β 1/Smad3 signaling pathway

CONTEXT: Fibrates, the ligands of peroxisome profileferator-activated receptor-α have been shown to have a renal protective action in diabetic nephropathy (DN). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the effect of fenofibrate on renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN. METHODS: Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were given fenofibrate (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 12 weeks, diabetic nephropathy biomarkers were assessed. The mRNA expression of collage I and III, TGF-β1 and Smad3 and were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: Fenofibrate reduced significantly serum creatinine, kidney/body weight ratio, serum albumin excretion Collage I & III, TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA expression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results give further insights into the mechanisms underlying the protective role of fenofibrate in DN, suggesting that interference with TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be a useful therapeutic approach to prevent DN.