Objective: To investigate the protective effects of Lovastatin on renal function in experimental diabetic nephropathy in rats. and the function of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB1) in this duration.
Methods: Diabetes was induced in male Wistar rats by intrapetitoneal injection of STZ (65 mg/kg). Three groups were divided as: Sham group, diabetic control group and Lovastatin treatment group. Lovastatin (20 mg/kg) was administered daily by gavage from the next day of the induction diabetes for 4 weeks. Upro, ucr in urine and Glu, Scr, BUN in serum were determined. Immunohistochemistry and computer image-pattern analysis system were used to analyze expression of PCNA and p-CREB1. Western blot were performed to valuate the expression of p-CREB1 with their specific corresponding antibodies. CREB1 mRNA was measured by RT-PCR.
Results: After Lovastatin treatment, renal function were ameliorative in diabetic rats. Decrements were also found in the expression of and PCNA, p-CREB1 and its mRNA in the treatment group compared with the diabetic group.
Conclusion: Inhibition of glomerular cAMP-responsive element binding protein 1 may be responsible for the Lovastatin protective function that allevate the renal proliferation and hypertrophy in diabetic rats.