Effect of leflunomide on renal expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and transforming growth factor-beta 1 in diabetic nephropathy rats

Objective To explore the effects and renoprective mechanism of leflunomide on the kidney expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1),and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1) in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats.Methods Fifty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(NC group,n=18),diabetic group(DM group,n=18),leflunomide treatment group(DM+LEF group,n=18).Diabetic model was induced by STZ,the rats in DM+LEF group were given by intragastric administration with the solution of leflunomide 5 mg·kg-1·d-1.The six rats in batch were sacrificed in each group respectively at the weekend of 4th,6th and 8th,then,24 hour urinary volume,24 hour urinary protein,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr) and renal histopathological changes were measured and observed.The renal expressions of MCP-1,TGF-β1 were observed with streptavidin-perosidase(SP),and the renal expressions of MCP-1,TGF-β1mRNA were detected by RT-PCR.Results Compared with DM group,24 hour urinary protein in DM+LEF group significantly reduced(P0.01),the pathological changes in DM+LEF group significantly reduced.Renal expressions of MCP-1,TGF-β1mRNA decreased significantly.Conclusion Leflunomide can reduce the expressions of MCP-1,TGF-β1 in renal tissue,thus alleviating kidney damage,developing protective effects in diabetic nephropathy.