伊贝沙坦对大鼠糖尿病模型肾脏肥大和肾小球毛细血管基底膜厚度的影响

目的 观察伊贝沙坦对大鼠糖尿病模型肾脏肥大和肾小球毛细血管基底膜厚度的影响。方法 将SD大鼠分为糖尿病肾病组(A组)、伊贝沙坦治疗组(B组)、健康对照组(C组),A和B组大鼠制成糖尿病模型,B组予以50mg／kg伊贝沙坦灌胃。观察第4、8、12周大鼠的血糖、体重、尿白蛋白、24h尿蛋白的改变及第12周时的肌酐清除率(Ccr)、肾重、肾脏肥大指数、肾组织总蛋白含量、肾小球面积和体积、肾小球毛细血管基底膜(GBM)厚度的改变。通过免疫组化观察肾结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)和转化生长因子(TGF)-βl的表达。结果 A组和B组大鼠血糖较C组明显升高且维持在一个较高水平(P＜0．01)。A组大鼠的体重较C组明显下降,B组有所增加(P＜0．05)。随时间的推移(第4、8、12周),A组大鼠尿蛋白、尿白蛋白逐渐增加,B组明显减少(P＜0．01)。A组大鼠Ccr较C组显著升高(P＜0．01),B组Ccr明显下降(P＜0．05)。至第12周时,A组大鼠肾脏重量、肾脏肥大指数、肾组织总蛋白含量、肾小球面积和体积均较C组明显增加(P＜0．01),B组均较A组降低(P＜0．01,P＜0．05)。免疫组化半定量分析显示,A组大鼠CTGF与TGF-βl的表达均高于C组(P＜0．01),B组明显低于A组(P＜0．01,P＜0．05)。A组大鼠GBM较C组明显增厚(P＜0．01),B组较A组明显变薄(P＜0．01）。肾小球CTGF、TGF—βl的表达与肾脏体积呈正相关(r＝0．83,r＝0．83;P＜0．05)。结论 早期应用伊贝沙坦可抑制糖尿病大鼠早期肾脏肥大和CTGF表达等。     

雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞nephrin和podocin表达的影响

目的 观察雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦对糖尿病肾病大鼠足细胞nephrin和podocinmRNA和蛋白表达的影响.方法 将体重200 ～ 260 g的50只SD大鼠按随机数字表法分为正常对照组和4个模型组（n=10）,后者分别应用链脲佐菌素造模成功后分为糖尿病肾病组（DN组）、厄贝沙坦组、雷公藤多甙组和雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦组.给予相应干预8周后,检测血尿指标,HE染色观察肾组织病理变化,逆转录-多聚酶链反应（RT-PCR）法检测各组大鼠肾皮质中nephrin和podocinmRNA和蛋白表达.结果 （1）与DN组大鼠比较,雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦组大鼠肾皮质nephrin mRNA （0.507±0.024比0.276 ±0.015,P ＜0.01）和podocin mRNA （0.533±0.024比0.463±0.022,P＜0.01）表达上调.（2）与DN组大鼠比较,雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦组大鼠肾皮质nephrin蛋白（0.738±0.029比0.199±0.012,P＜0.01）和podocin蛋白（0.811 ±0.032比0.227±0.014,P＜0.01）表达上调.（3） HE染色和Masson染色显示,糖尿病组大鼠肾脏肾小球体积增大,系膜基质弥漫增多,系膜细胞明显增多,基底膜弥漫增厚,间质可见灶性淋巴细胞及单核细胞浸润,厄贝沙坦组和雷公藤多甙组病变较糖尿病组减轻,雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦组大鼠肾脏组织病变较厄贝沙坦组和雷公藤多甙组进一步减轻.结论 雷公藤多甙联合厄贝沙坦对糖尿病大鼠的肾脏足细胞具有保护作用,这种保护作用可能是通过上调足细胞nephrin和podocin mRNA和蛋白表达有关.     

伊贝沙坦对2型糖尿病大鼠肾皮质fractalkine表达的影响

目的研究血管紧张素受体Ⅱ（ATⅡ）的AT1受体阻滞剂伊贝沙坦对2型糖尿病（T2DM）大鼠肾皮质趋化因子fractalkine表达的影响。方法制备T2DM大鼠模型,随机分为正常对照组、糖尿病组及伊贝沙坦治疗组。分别用半定量RT-PCR和免疫组化法检测肾皮质fractalkine mRNA和蛋白表达。结果糖尿病组血清糖基化终产物-肽、尿素氮（BUN）、24h尿总蛋白（24hUPro）、肾皮质fractalkine mRNA和蛋白表达均明显高于对照组;伊贝沙坦治疗组血清BUN、24hUPro、肾皮质fractalkine mRNA和蛋白表达则明显低于糖尿病组。结论伊贝沙坦可能通过抑制肾皮质fractalkine表达发挥其肾保护作用。     

福辛普利对糖尿病大鼠肾脏损伤的保护作用

目的探讨福辛普利对糖尿病大鼠肾脏损伤的保护机制。方法制备大鼠糖尿病模型并分别给予不同剂量福辛普利灌胃。12周后检测血糖、血清肌酐、肾重指数,观察肾小球体积、肾小球基底膜变化,测定肾小球平均截面积（MGA）和肾小球平均体积（MGV）。结果DM组及不同剂量福辛普利组间血糖、血清肌酐均无统计学差异;与DM组相比,5mg·kg^-1·d^-1组肾重指数降低（P〈0．05）,10mg·kg^-1·d^-1组肾重指数明显降低（P〈0．01）,各福辛普利组MGA和MGV均缩小（P均〈0．01）。结论早期应用福辛普利在一定程度上可减轻糖尿病大鼠肾脏的损伤。     

缬沙坦联合丹参对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病理结构及TGF-β1表达的影响

目的 应用缬沙坦联合丹参对糖尿病肾病(DN)大鼠模型进行干预,观察其对肾小球平均体积、肾毛细血管基底膜平均厚度及肾组织中转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)表达的影响,探讨两药联用的肾保护作用及可能的机制.方法 应用链脲佐菌素(STZ)建立糖尿病(DM)大鼠模型,随机分为4组正常对照组、模型组、缬沙坦组、缬沙坦与丹参联合治疗组(联合组).8 w后观察各组血糖、糖化血红蛋白(HbAlc)、内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)、尿白蛋白排泄率(UAE)、尿β2微球蛋白排泄率(β2-MG)等变化.光镜观察肾组织病理变化并测定肾小球的平均体积、电镜观察并测定肾小球毛细血管基底膜平均厚度.免疫组化法检测肾组织TGF-β1蛋白的表达.结果 与对照组相比,模型组及各给药组大鼠血糖、HbAlc、Ccr、UAE、β2-MG均显著上升(P＜0.01);肾小球平均体积、毛细血管基底膜平均厚度均显著扩大(P＜0.01);肾组织中TGF-β1的蛋白质表达显著上调(P＜0.01).缬沙坦和(或)丹参干预后,上述上调指标除血糖、HbAlc外均被显著抑制(P＜0.05或0.01),联合组优于缬沙坦组(P＜0.05).结论 缬沙坦联合丹参对DM大鼠具有改善肾脏病理结构的肾保护作用.其机制可能与其下调肾组织中TGF-β1的表达有关.     

伊贝沙坦治疗早期糖尿病肾病的临床研究

63例早期糖尿病肾病患者,随机分为对照组和伊贝沙坦组。治疗12周,伊贝沙坦组HbA1c、尿白蛋白排泄率、尿β2微球蛋白、血清一氧化氮和血浆内皮素1水平均有明显下降,提示伊贝沙坦可延缓糖尿病患者肾功能损害。     

α-硫辛酸对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏显微和超微组织结构的影响

目的 观察抗氧化剂α-硫辛酸(ALA)对糖尿病大鼠肾脏组织形态学的影响.方法 2005年5月至10月,在同济大学附属东方医院内分泌科将4只Wistar大鼠设为正常对照组,10只Goto Kakisaki(GK)大鼠随机分为糖尿病对照组和糖尿病硫辛酸治疗组(腹腔内隔日注射ALA 35 mg/kg)各5只.12周后取大鼠肾脏,测定肾组织匀浆中氧化应激指标,同时用HE染色、PAS染色、Masson染色及透射电镜观察肾脏显微和超微组织结构的改变,测量肾小球面积、系膜区面积和基底膜厚度.结果 糖尿病对照组各氧化应激指标与正常对照组相比有明显变化.糖尿病对照组肾脏重量增加(P＜0.05),肾组织形态表现为肾小球肥大,系膜区增宽,系膜基质增多以及细胞增生,肾小球毛细血管基底膜增厚,足突消失.硫辛酸治疗组氧化应激指标明显改善,且肾组织的病理改变有所改善.图像分析显示,糖尿病对照组肾小球面积[(1573.19±208.68)μm2]和系膜区面积[(209.9±77.0)μm2]均明显增加,肾小球基底膜厚度[(0.39±0.11)μm]增加,硫辛酸治疗能减轻此变化.结论 氧化应激在糖尿病肾病的发生和发展中起重要作用,硫辛酸可减轻糖尿病大鼠肾脏的组织病理学变化.     

雷帕霉素对糖尿病肾病大鼠病理结构及结缔组织生长因子表达的影响

目的 观察雷帕霉素对糠尿病肾病(DN)的保护作用.方法 应用链脲佐菌素(STZ)建立糖尿病大鼠模型.24只SD大鼠随机分为3组:对照组、糖尿病组、雷帕霉素组.第5周起雷帕霉素组予雷帕霉素1 mg·kg-1·d-1干预8 w.12 w末观察各组大鼠血糖、内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)、24 h尿微量白蛋白(24hUalb)、肾重/体重等的变化.光镜观察肾组织病理变化并测定肾小球平均体积及系膜基质扩张指数(EMMI).RT-PCR及免疫组化法检测肾皮质结缔组织生长因子(CTGF)mRNA及蛋白表达.结果 与对照组相比,糖尿病组及雷帕霉素组大鼠血糖、Ccr、24hUalb均显著上升,大鼠肾脏明显肥大,肾小球平均体积、EMMI、毛细血管基底膜厚度均显著增加;肾皮质CTGFmRNA及蛋白表达显著上调.雷帕霉素干预后,上述指标除血糖外均部分被抑制.结论 小剂量雷帕霉素能够减轻肾脏肥大,抑制系膜外基质聚集,下调CTGF的表达,延缓DN的进展.     

糖尿病大鼠肾脏一氧化氮变化与肾小球硬化及非酶糖化的关系

肾小球硬化为糖尿病肾病 (DN)的病理改变 ,其基本病变为肾小球基底膜增厚和系膜基质的增生。糖尿病 (DM)肾组织胶原蛋白非酶糖化是 DM肾小球硬化重要的原因之一 [1 ,2 ]。有研究表明一氧化氮 (NO)具有抑制肾小球系膜细胞外基质积聚的作用 ,而蛋白非酶糖化致糖基化终产物 (AGE)的大量形成则阻碍了 NO的抗细胞增殖作用 [3 ]。本实验通过观察链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的 DM大鼠在不同病程肾组织 NO含量和一氧化氮合酶 (NOS)活性、AGE、胶原含量及肾组织形态学变化 ,探讨DN发病的相关机制。材料和方法1.材料 :选择体重 15 0～ 2 0 0 g的…     

缬沙坦联合丹参对糖尿病大鼠肾脏病理结构及TGF-β1表达的影响

目的 应用缬沙坦联合丹参对糖尿病肾病（DN）大鼠模型进行干预,观察其对肾小球平均体积、肾毛细血管基底膜平均厚度及肾组织中转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）表达的影响,探讨两药联用的肾保护作用及可能的机制.方法 应用链脲佐菌素（STZ）建立糖尿病（DM）大鼠模型,随机分为4组：正常对照组、模型组、缬沙坦组、缬沙坦与丹参联合治疗组（联合组）.8 w后观察各组血糖、糖化血红蛋白（HbAlc）、内生肌酐清除率（Ccr）、尿白蛋白排泄率（UAE）、尿β2微球蛋白排泄率（β2-MG）等变化.光镜观察肾组织病理变化并测定肾小球的平均体积、电镜观察并测定肾小球毛细血管基底膜平均厚度.免疫组化法检测肾组织TGF-β1蛋白的表达.结果 与对照组相比,模型组及各给药组大鼠血糖、HbAlc、Ccr、UAE、β2-MG均显著上升（P＜0.01）;肾小球平均体积、毛细血管基底膜平均厚度均显著扩大（P＜0.01）;肾组织中TGF-β1的蛋白质表达显著上调（P＜0.01）.缬沙坦和（或）丹参干预后,上述上调指标除血糖、HbAlc外均被显著抑制（P＜0.05或0.01）,联合组优于缬沙坦组（P＜0.05）.结论 缬沙坦联合丹参对DM大鼠具有改善肾脏病理结构的肾保护作用.其机制可能与其下调肾组织中TGF-β1的表达有关.     

Effect of octreotide and insulin on manifest renal and glomerular hypertrophy and urinary albumin excretion in long-term experimental diabetes in rats

Summary Treatment of diabetic rats with octreotide can inhibit early diabetic renal hypertrophy. Octreotide administration for 6 months from the day of diabetes induction inhibits renal hypertrophy and diminishes increase in urinary albumin excretion. To investigate the effect of octreotide on manifest diabetic renal changes, octreotide treatment was given for 3 weeks after an untreated diabetic period of 3 or 6 months. In addition, following 6 months of diabetes, a group of diabetic rats was treated with insulin for 3 weeks. Renal and glomerular hypertrophy, and increased urinary albumin excretion were observed in diabetic rats compared to non-diabetic control rats from 3 months and throughout the study period. Octreotide treatment did not affect body weight, food intake, blood glucose or serum fructosamine levels. We observed no effect of octreotide treatment on renal and glomerular hypertrophy or urinary albumin excretion compared to placebotreated diabetic rats. Insulin treatment for 3 weeks after 6 months of untreated diabetes normalized blood glucose and serum fructosamine levels, and furthermore renal hypertrophy was significantly diminished compared to the placebo-treated diabetic rats. However, insulin treatment had no effect on glomerular hypertrophy or urinary albumin excretion. In conclusion, octreotide treatment for 3 weeks following an untreated diabetic period of 3 or 6 months is unable to reduce the increased renal and glomerular volume or urinary albumin excretion. However, insulin treatment for 3 weeks with induction of euglycaemia diminishes the renal hypertrophy but has no effect on glomerular volume or urinary albumin excretion.Abbreviations UAE Urinary albumin excretion - IGF-I insulin-like growth factor I - IGFBP insulin-like growth factor binding protein - STZ streptozotocin - TGV total glomerular volume - BW body weight - GH growth hormone - RPF renal plasma flow     

大黄对糖尿病大鼠肾组织非酶促糖基化的影响

研究了大黄醇提物对糖尿病大鼠肾组织非酶促糖基化的影响。结果表明，Ｒ能减轻ＤＭ大鼠肾脏肥大，使肾重／体得值明显下降，降低ＤＭ大鼠血肌酐和尿素氮水平，使ＤＭ大鼠血糖，果糖胺和糖化珠蛋白含量明显下降。     

解聚复肾宁对糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用

目的 观察中药复方解聚复肾宁(JJFSN)对糖尿病 (DM)大鼠肾脏的保护作用.方法 建立链脲佐菌素(STZ)诱导的DM大鼠模型,将成模大鼠随机分成4组:模型组、JJFSN组、厄贝沙坦组、JJFSN+厄贝沙坦组,并设正常对照组.各组大鼠采用相应的干预措施处理12 w.常规方法检测各组大鼠尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)等指标,免疫组化法检测肾血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)和骨形成蛋白7(BMP-7)表达,Western印迹检测肾组织血小板衍化生长因子B(PDGF-B)的表达,透射电镜观察肾脏超微结构.结果 模型组大鼠除肾BMP-7表达显著减少外,其余指标均显著增高,肾脏超微结构改变明显;JJFSN组、厄贝沙坦组和JJFSN+厄贝沙坦组除肾BMP-7显著高于模型组(P＜0.05)外,其余指标均显著低于模型组(P＜0.05),肾脏超微结构改变明显改善;JJFSN+厄贝沙坦组各项指标改善明显优于模型组、JJFSN组和厄贝沙坦组(P＜0.05),但未达到正常对照组水平.结论 JJFSN对DM大鼠肾脏有明显保护作用.     

BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF FENOLDOPAM TREATMENT ON RENAL FUNCTION IN STREPTOZOTOCIN-INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

We have studied the effect of chronic treatment with dopamine D1 receptor agonist fenoldopam (1?mg/kg, i.p. daily for 6 weeks) on renal function and metabolic parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single tail vein injection of STZ (45?mg/kg). STZ produced severe hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and bradycardia. Fenoldopam treatment significantly reduced fasting but not fed blood glucose levels and lowered the blood pressure in diabetic animals. Significant change was not observed in insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride levels. Diabetic animals showed increase in AUC_glucose and decrease in AUC_insulin during oral glucose tolerance test. Fenoldopam treatment did not significantly change these values in diabetic animals. STZ produced increase in serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Diuresis and urinary sodium retention was observed in diabetic animals. Renal hypertrophy was observed as seen from increased kidney weight/body weight ratio and increased total RNA content as well as decreased total DNA content. Fenoldopam treatment significantly lowered serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Urinary sodium retention was significantly reduced and renal hypertrophy was prevented with fenoldopam treatment as seen from the improved kidney weight/body weight ratio. Fenoldopam treatment significantly prevented reduction in total DNA content and increase in total RNA content further substantiating reduced renal hypertrophy. Our data suggest that STZ induced diabetes is associated with renal dysfunctions and fenoldopam treatment could be beneficial in a condition where diabetes mellitus co-exists with hypertension and compromised renal function.     

Beneficial effects of fenoldopam treatment on renal function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

We have studied the effect of chronic treatment with dopamine D1 receptor agonist fenoldopam (1 mg/kg, i.p. daily for 6 weeks) on renal function and metabolic parameters in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic rats. Diabetes was induced by a single tail vein injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). STZ produced severe hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension and bradycardia. Fenoldopam treatment significantly reduced fasting but not fed blood glucose levels and lowered the blood pressure in diabetic animals. Significant change was not observed in insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride levels. Diabetic animals showed increase in AUCglucose and decrease in AUCinsulin during oral glucose tolerance test. Fenoldopam treatment did not significantly change these values in diabetic animals. STZ produced increase in serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Diuresis and urinary sodium retention was observed in diabetic animals. Renal hypertrophy was observed as seen from increased kidney weight/body weight ratio and increased total RNA content as well as decreased total DNA content. Fenoldopam treatment significantly lowered serum urea, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Urinary sodium retention was significantly reduced and renal hypertrophy was prevented with fenoldopam treatment as seen from the improved kidney weight/body weight ratio. Fenoldopam treatment significantly prevented reduction in total DNA content and increase in total RNA content further substantiating reduced renal hypertrophy. Our data suggest that STZ induced diabetes is associated with renal dysfunctions and fenoldopam treatment could be beneficial in a condition where diabetes mellitus co-exists with hypertension and compromised renal function.     

Novel biphenyl compound, VMNS2e, ameliorates streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats

Aim: To study the effect of a new biphenyl synthetic compound showing interactions with the active site of protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B by docking and molecular dynamics, VMNS2e in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic nephropathy in rats with various renal function parameters and renal ultrastructure. Methods: Streptozotocin (55 mg/kg)‐induced diabetic rats were orally treated once daily with VMNS2e (30, 60, and 120 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The body weight and blood glucose levels of the rats were recorded during the study period. After 8 weeks of treatment creatinine clearance, urinary protein, blood urea nitrogen, urinary albumin excretion rate, and insulin levels were measured. An ultrastructure study of the kidney tissue was performed and the glomerular basement membrane thickness was measured. Results: Eight weeks of VMNS2e treatment significantly reduced the fasting blood glucose level, attenuated elevating blood urea nitrogen levels, and reduced glomerular basement membrane thickness. Conclusion: It is concluded that VMNS2e treatment at 30 and 60 mg/kg, when given for 8 weeks, partly ameliorated early diabetic nephropathy in diabetic rats.     

Regression of renal hypertrophy and elevated renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity after insulin treatment in streptozotocin-diabetic rats

The effect of insulin treatment on the renal hypertrophy and elevated renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity in rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes was examined. Rats with STZ-diabetes of 6- to 8-week duration had significantly lower body weights, higher plasma and urinary glucose concentrations, greater urinary volumes, increased kidney weights, and increased kidney/body weights and protein/kidney weight ratios compared to those in saline-citrate-injected controls. Specific Na+,K+-ATPase activity per mg protein in both cortical and outer medullary kidney homogenates was significantly elevated in diabetic vs. control animals, as was total renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity. One week of insulin treatment returned elevated plasma glucose, urinary volume, the protein/kidney weight ratio, and cortical and outer medullary Na+,K+-ATPase activity per mg protein to control values. Kidney weights and kidney/body weight ratios of diabetic animals remained elevated, as did absolute total renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity. After 3 weeks of insulin treatment, kidney weight and total renal Na+,K+-ATPase activity in diabetic animals returned to control values, but body weights remained lower than those in the controls, resulting in continued elevation of kidney/body weight ratios in the diabetic animals. The concurrent regression of both renal hypertrophy and elevated Na+,K+-ATPase activity to normal levels after insulin treatment of STZ-diabetic animals implicates renal growth rather than a direct effect of insulin as the primary factor controlling elevation and regression of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in the diabetic kidney. This finding demonstrates that the effect of renal hypertrophy can outweigh the intrinsic effects of insulin on an important renal transport system and that this effect may be as important as lack of hormone in determining the renal physiological responses in the disease. It is suggested that the increased renal tubular Na+,K+-ATPase activity is a key component of the renal hypertrophy and hyperfunction seen in diabetes.     

糖基化产物对正常大鼠尿蛋白排泄和肾脏结构的影响

目的为探讨糖基化产物对正常肾脏的特异性损害作用。方法正常大鼠静脉注射体外制备的糖基化血清蛋白（ＧＳＰ），为期２个月，观察ＧＳＰ对大鼠尿蛋白排泄、肾皮质糖基化产物和肾脏形态的影响。结果接受ＧＳＰ的大鼠血清和肾组织中糖基化终产物（ＡＧＥｓ）水平、肾小球硝基四氮唑蓝（ＮＢＴ）染色强度、尿蛋白排泄量和尿量均明显高于对照组。光学和电子显微镜观察显示，给予ＧＳＰ的大鼠肾小球体积明显增大，肾小球系膜区扩大伴有细胞外基质增加，ＰＡＳ阳性物质沉着增多和肾小球基底膜节段性增厚。结论糖基化产物能引起类似糖尿病肾病的肾脏损害。     

Renal effects of a neutralising RAGE-antibody in long-term streptozotocin-diabetic mice

Advanced glycation endproducts (AGEs) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic kidney disease. The actions of AGEs are mediated both through a non-receptor mediated pathway and through specific receptors for AGEs (e.g. RAGE). To explore a potentially specific role for RAGE in renal changes in type 1 diabetes, we examined the renal effects of a neutralising murine RAGE-antibody (ab) in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic mice, a model of type 1 diabetes. One group of STZ-diabetic mice was treated for two months with the RAGE-ab, while another STZ-diabetic group was treated for the same period with an irrelevant immunoglobulin G (IgG). Two groups of non-diabetic NMRI mice were treated with either RAGE-ab or isotype-matched IgG for two months. Placebo-treated STZ-diabetic mice showed an increase in kidney weight, glomerular volume, basement membrane thickness (BMT), urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and creatinine clearance (CrCl), when compared with non-diabetic controls. In RAGE-ab-treated STZ-diabetic mice, the increase in kidney weight and UAE was reduced, while the increase in CrCl was abolished. RAGE-ab administration in NMRI mice caused a reduction in liver weight and an increase in BMT. Renal messenger RNA (mRNA) for connective tissue growth factor and collagen IValpha1 was increased in placebo-treated diabetic animals. RAGE-ab treatment had no impact on the expression of these factors. The renal effects of RAGE-ab administration in STZ-diabetic mice were seen without impact on body weight, blood glucose or food consumption. In conclusion, the present data support the hypothesis that RAGE is an important pathogenic factor in the renal changes in an animal model of type 1 diabetes.