Effects of fluvastatin on expression of ICAM-1 in kidneys of diabetic rats

Objective To investigate the protective effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor fluvastatin on the kidneys of diabetic rats,and study their possible mechanisms related to intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1)expression.Methods On the base of the normal control rats(group NC),streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats(group DM),diabetic rats treated with fluvastatin(group DF),intrarenal ICAM-1 content and mRNA expression were measured by immunohistochemical technique and RT-PCR technique respectively.Pathological changes of renal tissue were observed under light microscopy and electron microscopy.Results There were significant differences in kidney hypertropathy index,24-hour urinary protein,expression of ICAM-1and pathological changes on kidney between treated diabetic rats and untreated diabetic rats.Conclusion Glomerular ICAM-1 expression may increase in diabetic nephropathy,which contributing to the occurance and development of diabetic nephropathy.Fluvastatin seem to have renal protective effects on kidney of diabetic rats.