Effects of Irbesartan on Expression of MMP-2,TIMP-2 and IV-C in Kidney of Diabetic Rats

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expression of matrix metallopro teinase-2(MMP-2),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2(TIMP-2) and collagen Ⅳ(Ⅳ-C) in kidney of diabetic rats and the intervention effect of irbesartan.METHODS:30 male SD rats were randomly divided into three groups:normal control group(NC group),diabetes mellitus group(DM group) and diabetes mellitus+50 mg·kg-1 irbesartan group(DI group).DM and DI group were injected with streptozocin intraperitoneally to reduce diabetic model.After 8 weeks the expression of MMP-2,TIMP-2 and Ⅳ-C in kidney tissure were determined by immunohistochemistry method(SP) and RT-PCR.RESULTS:Compared with NC group,DM group showed the expression of protein and mRNA of MMP-2 significantly reduced while that of TIMP-2 and Ⅳ-C increased(P0.01).The pathologic changes of diabetic nephropathy occurred in DM group.In DI group the expression of protein and mRNA of MMP-2 increased significantly while that of TIMP-2 and Ⅳ-C(P0.01) decreased,as compared with DM group.CONCLUSION:Irbesartan may regulate the balance of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 and weaken the accumulation of Ⅳ-C to protect kidney of rats.