Effects of Candesartan on Renal Tubule Epithelial Cells Transdifferentiation in Diabetic Rats

Objective:To investigate the effect of candesartan on the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and vimentin in renal tubular epithelial of diabetic rats.Methods:Diabetes was induced in male SD rats by intraperitoneal administration of streptoztocin(STZ) 60mg/kg body weight.The rats then were randomized to diabetic group and candesartan therapy group.The normal group rats were administrated only the same dose of citrate buffer.At the end of the 16th week,blood glucose(BS),kidney weight/body weight(KW/BW),urine albumin(UAlb),and creatinine clearance rate(Ccr) were determined.The renal histopathology was observed by PAS staining.Further biochemical analysis of α-SMA and vimentin was provided using immunostaining.Results:Compared with normal group,BS,KW/BW,UAlb,Ccr,and interstitial fibrotic lesions were increased in diabetic group.Treatment with candesartan could improve these parameters except BS.Compared with normal group,expression of α-SMA and vimentin in tubular epitheliar cells were highly up-regulated in diabetic group(P0.01).Administration of candesartan prevented the high expression of α-SMA and vimentin in renal tubular epitheliar cells of diabetic rats.Conclusion:Candesartan can down-regulate the expression of α-SMA and vimentin in diabetic renal tubular epitheliar cells and restrain the process of epithelial transdifferentiation in diabetic rats.