The inhibitory effect of curcumin on the upregulation of PDGF-B expression in the kidney of experimental diabetic rats

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effect of curcumin on the upregulation of PDGF-B protein expression in the kidney of experimental diabetic rats.Methods 36 rats were randomly divided into control group( group A),STZ-induced diabetic rats group(group B),STZ-induced diabetic rats treated with curcumin group (30mg·kg-1·d-1 intraperitoneally)(group C).The UAER,Ccr as well as the profile of kidney hypertrophy were observed after 3,6-week treatment,while PDGF-B protein expression was detected by immunohistological staining.In addition,the renal tissues were observed by transmission electron microscopy.Results Kidney/body weight ratio and UAER(Ccr) in group C were significantly lower than those in group B after 3,6-week treatment (P0.05).The expression of PDGF-B in group B was significantly increased (P0.01),however,which in group C was obviously inhibited(P0.05 or P0.01).The examination result by transmission electron microscopy showed that there were widespread pathological changes in kidney tissue of group B,however,which were obviously improved in group C.Conclusion Curcumin can relieve the pathological changes in the kidney of diabetic rats by inhibiting the upregulation of PDGF-B expression in renal cortices.