The Effect of Leflunomide on Renal Expression of P-selectin mRNA in Diabetic Rats

Objective To explore the expressions of P-selectin mRNA in the renal tissue of diabetic rats and the effects of Leflunomide.Methods The model of type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM) was set up by feeding high-glucose and high-fat diet and by injecting STZ into peritoneal cavity of rat.The diabetic rats were randomly divided into DM group(group B) and Leflunomide treated group(group C).The age-matched rats were set as controls(group A).Blood glucose,HbA1c,cholesterol,triglyceride,Scr,BUN,insulin and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were detected at 8,9,12 and 16 weeks respectively.Six rats were randomly sacrificed at 9 and 16 weeks in every group.Kidney index of rats were measured.Moreover,the renal pathological changes were observed.The expressions of P-selectin mRNA in the renal cortex were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Results Some pathological characteristics of diabetic nephropathy exist in type 2 diabetic rats.Compared with group A,Scr,BUN were significantly increased in group B at the end of 16th week(P0.01),while 24-hour urinary protein excretion was increased when the animal model of diabetes was established successfully(P0.05)and kept increasing at the end of 12th and 16th(P0.01,P0.01).Compared with group B,Scr,BUN in group C were decreased(P0.05,P0.01)at the end of 16th,24-hour urinary protein excretion was decreased at the end of 12th and 16th(P0.05,P0.01).Compared with the controls,the expressions of P-selectin mRNA in the renal tissue of diabetic rats were significantly increased(P0.01),while the expressions were decreased in Leflunomide treated group in compare with DM group(P0.05).Conclusion Leflunomide can protect the kidney in diabetic rats by inhibiting the expressions of P-selectin in renal tissue.