Association between albuminuria and expression of nephrin in diabetic rats

Objective To observe albuminuria excretion in diabetic rats and to investigate its relationships with renal tissue pathological changes and the expression of nephrin.Methods 40 Wistar rats were divided into control group(NC n=20),diabetic group(DM n=20).Diabetes was induced by peritoneal injection of STZ 50 mg/kg.Urinary albumin(UA),renal fuction and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight(KW/BW) were detected dynamically at 0,4,8,12 weeks.The renal tissue were analyzed by by light microscope.Expression of nephrin was detected by immunohistochemistry.Results Compared with NC,with extension of the course of disease,urinary albumin,Ccr and the ratio of kidney weight/body weight in DM were gradually increased(P0.05).Albuminuria appeared earlier than abnormalities of Ccr.Histological examination of the kidney revealed increased ECM accumulation,thickening of the glomerular basement membrane with the development of diabetic nephropathy.Nephrin was distributed asymmetry and decreased gradually on glomeruloes in diabetic group especially at 12 th week.Conclusion Albuminuria appeared earlier in diabetic rats,which is an indicator of early damage in diabetic nephropathy.Nephrin may play a role in pathogenesis and development of the Albuminuria in diabetic nephropathy.