Growth hormone receptor antagonism prevents early renal changes in nonobese diabetic mice.

The growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis is involved in diabetic renal disease. The role of a specific GH receptor (GHR) antagonist in the development of early renal changes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice was investigated. Female diabetic (nonketotic) NOD mice treated with a polyethylene glycol-treated GHR antagonist (2 mg/kg, every other day) (DA group) or saline (D group) and their nonhyperglycemic age-matched littermates (control animals) were euthanized 3 wk after the onset of diabetes. Body weights at euthanasia were similar among the groups. Serum GH levels were markedly elevated, and serum IGF-I levels were significantly decreased in D and DA animals, compared with controls. The increases in kidney weights and glomerular volumes observed for the D group were absent in the DA group. Albuminuria was increased in the D group but was normalized in the DA group. Extractable renal IGF-I protein levels were increased in the D group but were partially normalized in the DA group. Renal IGF-binding protein 1 mRNA levels were increased in the D group but returned to almost normal levels in the DA animals. Kidney IGF-I and GHR mRNA levels were decreased in both the D and DA groups. Renal GH-binding protein mRNA levels remained unchanged in both diabetic groups. GHR antagonism had a blunting effect on renal/glomerular hypertrophy and albuminuria in diabetic NOD mice. These salutary effects were associated with concomitant inhibition of increased renal IGF-I protein levels and were obtained without affecting either somatic growth or circulating GH and IGF-I levels. Therefore, modulation of GH effects may have beneficial therapeutic implications in diabetic nephropathy.     

A novel somatostatin analogue prevents early renal complications in the nonobese diabetic mouse

BACKGROUND: PTR-3173 (S) is a novel somatostatin analogue that has been found to exert a prolonged inhibitory action on the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis, but not on insulin secretion. We investigated the potential effect of this agent on the development of markers of diabetic nephropathy in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model of insulin-dependent diabetes. METHODS: Female diabetic NOD mice treated with PTR-3173 (DS group) or saline (D) and their control groups of nonhyperglycemic age-matched littermates (C) and C mice treated with PTR-3173 (CS) were sacrificed three weeks after onset of diabetes. RESULTS: Serum GH was elevated in the D group, decreased in the DS group, and unchanged in the CS group. Serum IGF-I was significantly decreased in both the D and DS groups. Kidney weight, glomerular volume, albuminuria, and creatinine clearance were increased in the D animals and showed a trend toward normalization in the DS animals. Renal extractable IGF-I protein and IGFBP1 mRNA were increased in the D group and normalized in the DS group. CONCLUSIONS: GH antagonism by PTR-3173 has a blunting effect on renal/glomerular hypertrophy, albuminuria, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in diabetic NOD mice. This phenomenon is apparently associated with the prevention of renal IGF-I accumulation. Thus, modulation of GH effects may have beneficial therapeutic implications in diabetic nephropathy.     

Comparison between somatostatin analogues and ACE inhibitor in the NOD mouse model of diabetic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-SST (SST) axis is involved in diabetic nephropathy (DN). We have recently shown a beneficial effect on diabetic kidney disease markers by the use of a novel somatostatin (SST) analogue (PTR-3173) (S). The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of S with a previously used SST analogue (octreotide) and an ACE inhibitor (ACEi), a standard of care in DN. METHODS: Non-obese diabetic mice (a model of type I diabetes) were treated with either S (DS), octreotide (DO), enalapril (DA), or PTR-3173 and enalapril (DAS group) for 3 weeks. RESULTS: Diabetic renal hypertrophy was blunted in the DS and DO groups only. Serum GH and IGF-I were markedly increased and decreased, respectively, in the D group, a change significantly blunted in DO and DS. Diabetic hyperfitration and albuminuria were blunted in all the four treated diabetic groups. The marked deposition of type IV collagen and PAS material were mildly decreased in DA, but more markedly reduced in DS as well as DO. Diabetic renal laminin accumulation was suppressed in all treated animal groups. No synergistic effect was observed for any parameter in the combination group DAS. CONCLUSION: SST analogues exert beneficial effects in most parameters of diabetic kidney disease to the same extent as the ACEi. Enalapril treatment had no effect on renal hypertrophy and did not cause a significant decrease in mesangial type IV collagen deposition. A synergistic effect of combined SST-ACEi therapy could not be shown in this study.     

Inhibitory effect of a growth hormone receptor antagonist (G120K-PEG) on renal enlargement, glomerular hypertrophy, and urinary albumin excretion in experimental diabetes in mice.

Growth hormone (GH) and IGFs have a long and distinguished history in diabetes, with possible participation in the development of renal complications. To investigate the effect of a newly developed GH receptor (GHR) antagonist (G120K-PEG) on renal/glomerular hypertrophy and urinary albumin excretion (UAE), streptozotocin-induced diabetic and nondiabetic mice were injected with G120K-PEG every 2nd day for 28 days. Placebo-treated diabetic and nondiabetic animals were used as reference groups. Placebo-treated diabetic animals were characterized by growth retardation, hyperphagia, hyperglycemia, increased serum GH levels, reduced serum IGF-I, IGF-binding protein (IGFBP)-3, and liver IGF-I levels, increased kidney IGF-I, renal/glomerular hypertrophy, and increased UAE when compared with nondiabetic animals. No differences were seen between the two diabetic groups with respect to body weight, food intake, blood glucose, serum GH, IGF-I, and IGFBP-3 levels or hepatic IGF-I levels. Kidney IGF-I, kidney weight, and glomerular volume were normalized, while the rise in UAE was partially attenuated in the G120K-PEG-treated diabetic animals. No effect of G120K-PEG treatment on any of the parameters mentioned above was seen in nondiabetic animals. In conclusion, administration of a GHR antagonist in diabetic mice has renal effects without affecting metabolic control and circulating levels of GH, IGF-I, or IGFBP-3, thus indicating that the effect of G120K-PEG may be mediated through a direct inhibitory effect on renal IGF-I through the renal GHR. The present study suggests that specific GHR blockade may present a new concept in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease.     

Experimental diabetic renal growth: role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I

We have compared the kidneys of two inbred strains of rats (Lewisand Lewis-Dwarf) 7 days after the induction of diabetes mellituswith streptozotocin, in order to examine the influence of aselective growth hormone (GH) deficiency on diabetic renal growthand insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) content of the kidneys.Insulin-like growth factor-I was measured by radioimmunoassayand its distribution within the kidney by immunohistochemicalstaining. We detected a significant increase in both the wetweight (32.9±5.3%, P=0.0085) and dry weight (16.3±6.3%,P=0.046) of the kidneys of diabetic Lewis rats but dwarf rats,selectively deficient in GH, did not show a significant increasein either parameter. Extractable IGF-I increased within thekidneys of diabetic rats of both strains but to a lesser extentin the dwarf rats (+105±28% and +65±21% respectively,P<0.0l). In diabetic Lewis rats a positive correlation wasnoted between the severity of glycaemia and kidney IGF-I content(r=0.604, P<0.05) but no such correlation was noted in dwarfrats. Insulin-like growth factor-I immunostaining increased in diabeticrats of both strains, mainly within cells of the thick ascendinglimb of the loop of Henle including damaged and vacuolated cells.However, morphometric analysis of the staining showed that itwas significantly less widespread in the diabetic dwarf rats(P=0.026). We conclude that growth hormone deficiency bluntsexperimental diabetic renal growth and restricts the increasein the kidney IGF-I content. These findings raise further questionsconcerning the contribution of GH and IGF-I to the early stagesof experimental diabetic renal disease.     

Influence of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I on kidney function and kidney growth

Decreased glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in hypopituitarism and increased GFR in acromegaly suggest that growth hormone (GH) has a substantial effect on renal haemodynamics. Extractive and recombinant human (rh) GH in healthy volunteers increased effective renal plasma flow (ERPF) and GFR by 10% and 15% respectively. Renal response to GH was delayed and occurred at the same time as an increase in plasma insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I values, whereas infusion of rhIGF-I promptly increased GFR and ERPF, indicating that the haemodynamic response of the kidney to GH is mediated by IGF-I. In chronic renal failure (CRF), the acute effect of GH on GFR is obliterated. This might protect the diseased kidney against the undesired consequences of hyperfiltration. Indeed, rhGH treatment for 1 year in children with CRF did not lead to an accelerated decline in GFR compared with the year before treatment. GH and IGF-I also effect renal growth. Exposure to excessive GH in transgenic mice causes renomegaly and progressive glomerular selerosis. In acromegalic humans, increased renal size and weight and increased glomerular diameter are well known, whereas renal failure is not a long-term hazard. At least in normal and hypophysectomized rats treated with doses comparable with the therapeutic regimens used in stunted children, rhGH increased renal weight but in proportion to the increase in body weight indicating an isometric effect of GH on renal growth. From these data, major renal longterm side effects of rhGH treatment in children with CRF appear unlikely.     

Growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I and mesangial matrix in uremic rats

Combined growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) therapy has been advocated for clinical use to minimize the diabetogenic effect of GH and enhance their anabolic effects. However, GH has been shown to accelerate the development of glomerular sclerosis in experimental animals and IGF-I mediates the renal effects of GH. The purpose of this study was therefore to examine morphometrically the effects of GH (1 mg intraperitoneally three times a week), IGF-I (50 g/kg body weight subcutaneously twice a day), and combined GH/IGF-I treatments in vivo on mesangial matrix at 3–20 days after 5/6 nephrectomy in 140- to 150-g rats. There were no significant changes in growth and renal function after GH and/or IGF-I treatment. The effects of GH and IGF-I on glomerular size were additive, which were more prominent in juxtamedullary glomeruli. GH induced proportional increases in mesangial area (MA) and glomerular area (GA), whereas IGF-I induced a similar increase in GA without a corresponding change in MA. When compared with GH treatment alone, combined GH/IGF-I treatment resulted in a lesser degree of mesangial expansion despite an enhanced glomerular size. While additional studies are needed to examine the long-term effects of these findings, our results suggest a potentially beneficial effect of combined GH/IGF-I therapy during uremia.     

Somatic and renal effects of growth hormone in rats with chronic renal failure

Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been widely used to improve growth in children with chronic renal failure (CRF). However, there has been great concern that GH may aggravate renal disease and hasten the progression to end-stage renal failure. We therefore investigated the effect of prolonged administration of rhGH at various doses on somatic growth and renal function and structure in rats with CRF, divided into four groups based on rhGH dose (vehicle, 0.4, 2.0, and 10.0 IU/day). rhGH was administered subcutaneously daily for 8 weeks. The mean growth was significantly greater in rats treated with high-dose rhGH (10.0 IU) than those treated with low-dose rhGH (P = 0.0089) or vehicle (P = 0.0011). Body weight gain increased in parallel with body length (Creatinine clearance at the end of the experiment was significantly lower in rats on high or medium-dose rhGH than those on low-dose rhGH and controls (P <0.05). The glomerular sclerosing index was greater in rats treated with higher doses of rhGH. There were significant differences between rats treated with high-dose rhGH and controls (P = 0.0144) and also between rats on medium-dose rhGH and controls (P = 0.0065). Although there was no significant difference, rats treated with higher doses of rhGH tended to excrete more protein. Renal insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) content and circulating IGF-I and IGF-II levels did not significantly differ among groups. We conclude that: (1) GH improves somatic growth failure in rats with CRF, but prolonged administration of GH dose-dependently induces deterioration in renal function and structure and (2) this effect was induced neither via circulating IGF-I and IGF-II nor by local production of IGF-I, but seems to be direct. Received June 7, 1996; received in revised form and accepted November 19, 1996     

Growth hormone aggravates renal abnormalities induced by neonatal enalapril treatment

Lack of neonatal angiotensin II type-1 receptor stimulation produces irreversible abnormalities of renal function and morphology, which can be prevented by simultaneous administration of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Given the fact that growth hormone (GH) is the strongest secretagogue for IGF-I, we wanted to explore whether GH could reproduce the effect of IGF-I. Rats were treated from 3 to 13 days of age with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor enalapril (10 mg/kg/day) and GH (4 mg/kg/day), alone or in combination. Renal gene expression of IGF-I and IGF-binding proteins (IGFBP) was determined during and after treatment. Renal function and morphology were investigated at adult age. In contrast to the beneficial effect of IGF-I, GH treatment in combination with enalapril further deteriorated both renal function and morphology as compared with enalapril treatment alone, demonstrating: reduced glomerular filtration rate, increased tubular dilation and further expansion of the outer medulla. Enalapril decreased medullary expression of IGF-I and increased renal expression of IGFBP-1, changes that were not affected by concomitant GH treatment. These findings indicate that GH and IGF-I have different roles in the renin-angiotensin system-mediated kidney development.     

Compensatory renal growth in uninephrectomized adult mice is growth hormone dependent

Compensatory renal growth in uninephrectomized adult mice is growth hormone dependent. BACKGROUND: Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) have been implicated as pathogenic factors in compensatory renal growth (CRG) following unilateral nephrectomy in rodents. CRG in adult rats has been suggested to be GH dependent and GH independent in immature rats. However, the exact role of GH as a regulating or permissive factor in CRG in adult rodents has not been fully resolved to date. METHODS: To elucidate a possible direct, permissive role of GH in CRG, we examined the effect of a newly developed specific GH receptor (GHR) antagonist (G120K-PEG) on kidney IGF-I accumulation and renal/glomerular hypertrophy over seven days after uninephrectomy in adult mice. RESULTS: Placebo-treated uninephrectomized mice were characterized by a transient increase in kidney IGF-I concentration preceding CRG and an increase in glomerular volume. In G120K-PEG-treated uninephrectomized animals, increased kidney IGF-I levels, kidney weight, and glomerular volume were fully abolished. No differences were seen between the two uninephrectomized groups with respect to body weight, food intake, blood glucose, serum GH, IGF-I, or IGFBP-3 levels. CONCLUSIONS: The administration of a GHR antagonist in uninephrectomized adult mice has renal effects without affecting circulating levels of GH/IGFs, indicating that the effect of G120K-PEG may be mediated through a direct inhibitory effect on renal IGF-I accumulation through the renal GHR. This study shows, to our knowledge for the first time, that CRG in adult mice is strictly GH dependent.     

Growth hormone and renal function

Summary: Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) has been recognized to be beneficial for improving growth retardation in uraemic children. the potential effect of growth hormone (GH) on renal haemodynamics results in an increase in glomerular filtration rate and renal plasma flow. However, in GH transgenic mice and uraemic rats treated with GH, GH has been reported to aggravate glomerular sclerosis and induce deterioration in renal function. Therefore, the potential of adverse effect of GH on deterioration in renal function has been of concern in uraemic children receiving rhGH. Growth hormone enhances protein anabolism and promotes a positive nitrogen balance. It is more likely that the anabolic effect of GH used at the conventional dose may reduce renal solute load and slow the progression of end-stage renal failure (ESRF) in rhGH-treated uraemic children. A low protein diet with adequate calories slows the deterioration of renal function in uraemic patients. the effects of GH on growth promotion, renal haemodynamics and protein anabolism are mainly mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). Insulinlike growth factor-I enhances glomerular filtration rate and promotes glomerular hypertrophy, but IGF-I administration is unlikely to give rise to glomerular sclerosis. the efficacy and the safety of concomitant therapy of recombinant GH or IGF-I and low protein diet should therefore be considered in uraemic children.     

The role of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-I in experimental renal growth and scarring

Recent evidence suggests a causal link between early renal/glomerular hypertrophy and late kidney scarring and glomerular sclerosis. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a growth-promoting peptide likely to play a role in the development of kidney growth. We observed an increased renal IGF-I content in two experimental models of accelerated kidney growth in the rat. By contrast, diabetic renal hypertrophy is abolished in the absence of growth hormone (GH). Dietary protein manipulations affect the expression of compensatory renal growth (CRG), as well as renal IGF-I content. The renotrophic effect of a high-protein diet on CRG seems GH-dependent and IGF-I-mediated. GH also appears to have a permissive role on the development of progressive renal scarring following extensive renal ablation in rats, as dwarf rats seem somewhat resistant to the development of accelerated scarring and renal failure.     

Role of insulin and the IGF system in renal hypertrophy in diabetic Psammomys obesus (sand rat).

BACKGROUND: Diabetic nephropathy is caused by multiple factors related to the altered metabolic environment in diabetes mellitus (DM). Experimental diabetic kidney disease is characterized by renal hypertrophy associated with increased tissue concentrations of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I). To assess the specific roles of serum insulin and glucose in mediating the development of diabetic nephropathy, the effects of both hyperinsulinaemic and hypoinsulinaemic DM were studied in Psammomys obesus (sand rat), a model of type 2 DM. METHODS: The IGF-I system was studied in normal Psammomys obesus gerbils and at 5, 15 and 70 days after the induction of either hyper- or hypoinsulinaemic DM. To induce hyperinsulinaemic DM, Psammomys were raised on a high-energy diet. Hypoinsulinaemic DM was induced by either administration of streptozotocin or a specially designed diet. RESULTS: Hyperinsulinaemic hyperglycaemic Psammomys did not exhibit renal hypertrophy (unchanged kidney/body-weight ratio) and renal IGF-I levels were in the normal range on days 5, 15 and 70. In contrast, Psammomys with hypoinsulinaemic hyperglycaemia induced either by streptozotocin injection or by pancreas exhaustion brought on by a long-term caloric excess diet, had significant increases in kidney/body-weight ratio which were associated with elevated renal IGF-I and mRNA and protein levels of kidney IGF binding protein I. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that serum insulin levels in the presence of hyperglycaemia have an important role in the development of experimental diabetic nephropathy in the Psammomys model. The implication of this finding is that the pathophysiological mechanisms for diabetic kidney disease in experimental models may be different for type 1 and type 2 DM.     

霉酚酸酯对糖尿病大鼠肾脏基质金属蛋白酶9、转化生长因子β1表达的影响

目的 探讨霉酚酸酯（MMF）对糖尿病（DM）大鼠肾脏的保护作用及其机制。 方法 将实验动物分为正常对照组、DM组及MMF治疗组。MMF组给予MMF(15 mg/kg,口服,1次/d) 治疗。8 周后检测各组大鼠尿蛋白量（24 h）、内生肌酐清除率（Ccr）、血糖;HE染色观察肾脏病理改变;免疫组化及RT-PCR法检测肾组织中基质金属蛋白酶9（MMP-9）、转化生长因子β1（TGF-β1）的表达。 结果 DM组大鼠血糖[（22.18±3.36） mmol/L比（6.40±0.87）mmol/L]、尿蛋白量（24 h）[（26.80±0.82） mg比（6.64±1.42） mg]、Ccr[（0.220±0.380） ml/min比（0.098±0.015） ml/min]显著高于对照组（P ＜ 0.05）。MMF组的尿蛋白量（24 h）[（16.17±1.15） mg]、Ccr[（0.220±0.380） ml/min比（0.207±0.377） ml/min]均显著低于DM组（P ＜ 0.05）。与DM组比较,MMF组肾小球肿大、系膜细胞增生显著减轻。肾组织中MMP-9在对照组表达较多,主要在肾小球系膜细胞胞质内及肾小管上皮细胞,DM组表达较弱,MMF组介于两组之间,组间差异均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。TGF-β1在正常对照组大鼠肾组织有少量表达,在DM组表达较强,在MMF组介于两组之间,组间差异亦均有统计学意义（P < 0.05）。 结论 MMF可降低DM大鼠尿蛋白排泄、Ccr,减轻早期肾小球肥大,此作用可能与MMF上调肾组织中MMP-9表达、下调TGF-β1的表达、减少系膜外基质的沉积有关。     

霉酚酸酯对2型糖尿病大鼠肾组织的保护作用

目的:观察霉酚酸酯(MMF)对2型糖尿病大鼠肾组织中神经生长因子(NGF)的影响.方法:应用高糖高脂饮食加小剂量链脲佐菌素(STZ)制备2型糖尿病大鼠模型,然后分别用胰岛素、MMF及二者联合干预治疗.采用免疫组织化学技术检测各组肾小球中NGF及单核/巨噬细胞(CD68)的表达水平.结果:(1)高糖高脂饮食 小量STZ后,大鼠血糖升高,且血胰岛素水平不低.继续喂养6周后大鼠肾重/体重、内生肌酐清除率(Ccr)、尿白蛋白排泄率(UAE)等指标较正常组明显升高;(2)糖尿病组大鼠肾组织中NGF、CD68表达较正常组明显增加.治疗6周后,MMF 胰岛素组NGF表达水平显著降低,单核/巨噬细胞浸润减轻,肾功能指标及组织病理学损害明显改善.结论:(1)糖尿病模型建立后6周,已出现糖尿病肾病早期改变;(2)2型糖尿病大鼠肾组织中NGF过量表达,MMF的肾脏保护作用可能与减少肾组织中NGF表达,减轻单核/巨噬细胞的浸润有关;(3)同时应用MMF和胰岛素能增强对2型糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用,这可能与MMF抗炎和胰岛素降血糖双重保护作用有关.     

Aminoguanidine ameliorates changes in the IGF system in experimental diabetic nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) has been implicated in the development of diabetic complications. As well as causing changes in structural proteins, AGEs may also alter gene expression of growth factors in vitro. The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, including IGF-I and modulatory IGF binding proteins (IGFBPs), is dysregulated during the development of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: Quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the effects of aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of AGE formation, on gene expression of IGF-I and IGFBPs in kidneys of long-term (8 months duration) streptozotocin-diabetic rats. RESULTS: Diabetes was associated with increased renal expression of IGFBP-1 mRNA (diabetes 824+/-236 vs control 264+/-76 arbitrary units, P<0.01) and decreased expression of mRNAs for IGF-I (diabetes 39+/-7 vs control 185+/-23 arbitrary units, P<0.001) and IGFBP-4 (diabetes 139+/-25 vs control 383+/-54 arbitrary units, P<0.001). Aminoguanidine treatment inhibited the effects of diabetes on renal expression of mRNA for IGF-I, IGFBP-1 and IGFBP-4. The changes in IGF-I and IGFBP-1 mRNA levels were reflected in altered peptide levels. In diabetic kidneys, IGFBP-5 mRNA levels were slightly decreased to 75% of control levels (P<0.01); aminoguanidine had no effect on IGFBP-5 mRNA levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that amelioration of changes in the renal IGF system by aminoguanidine may contribute to the renoprotective effects of the latter, which have been previously shown to inhibit structural and functional aspects of diabetic nephropathy in the rat.     

C-peptide prevents glomerular hypertrophy and mesangial matrix expansion in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: There is accumulating evidence that C-peptide exerts beneficial renal effects in type-1 diabetes by reducing glomerular hyperfiltration, albuminuria and glomerular hypertrophy in the early stage of nephropathy. The aim of this study was to clarify further the effects of C-peptide on renal structural changes in type-1 diabetic rats. METHODS: The effects of C-peptide or placebo on glomerular volume, mesangial expansion, glomerular basement membrane thickness, albuminuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were studied in three groups of rats: a non-diabetic group (N, n=9) and two groups that, during 8 weeks of diabetes, were left untreated for 4 weeks and then given a subcutaneous infusion of either placebo (D, n=11) or C-peptide (DCp, n=11) during the next 4 weeks. Furthermore, GFR was studied after 4 weeks of diabetes in an additional diabetic group (D-early, n=9) and in an age-matched non-diabetic group (N-early, n=9). RESULTS: After 4 weeks, GFR in the D-early group was 102% higher than in the N-early group. GFR after 8 weeks did not differ between the study groups. The D group presented with a 33% larger glomerular volume than the N group (P<0.001), while glomerular volume in the DCp group was similar to that in the N-group. Total mesangial and mesangial matrix fractions were increased by 46% (P<0.001) and 133% (P<0.001), respectively, in the D group. The corresponding values in the DCp group did not differ from those for the non-diabetic animals. Neither the thickness of the glomerular basement membrane nor the level of albuminuria differed significantly between the study groups. CONCLUSIONS: C-peptide administration in replacement dose to streptozotocin-diabetic rats serves to limit or prevent the glomerular hypertrophy and the mesangial matrix expansion seen in the post-hyperfiltration phase of early diabetic nephropathy.     

Response of insulin-like growth factor I and renal hemodynamics to a high- and low-protein diet in the rat

An increase in plasma insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels by growth hormone injection or IGF-I infusion can raise renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. However, it is not known whether a more physiological stimulus for IGF-I will also increase IGF-I in the kidney and whether the increase in renal or serum IGF-I is correlated with the increase in renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate. Male rats were pair fed either a high-protein (36% protein, N = 9) or a low-protein but isocaloric diet (9% protein, N = 9) for 10 to 14 days. Renal plasma flow and glomerular filtration rate were then estimated by clearance measurements, and IGF-I was measured in extracted serum, liver, renal cortical tissue, and glomeruli. Body weight gain and combined kidney weight were higher in high-protein rats as compared with low-protein animals (0.86 +/- 0.02 SEM versus 0.77 +/- 0.02 g/100 g body wt; P less than 0.05), but liver weights were not different. Serum, liver, and glomerular IGF-I levels were also higher in the high-protein rats as compared with the low-protein animals (serum, 1.12 +/- 0.03 versus 0.80 +/- 0.06 U/mL, P less than 0.05; liver, 183 +/- 17 versus 117 +/- 16 mU/g wet wt, P less than 0.05; glomeruli, 7.43 +/- 0.73 versus 4.81 +/- 0.59 mU/mg of protein, P less than 0.05). In contrast, the renal cortical IGF-I levels were not different in high-protein versus low-protein rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

黄芪对糖尿病造影剂肾损害的保护作用及机理研究

目的 :探讨黄芪对糖尿病 (DM)造影剂 (CM)肾损害的保护作用及其作用机理。方法 :建立单侧肾切除糖尿病肾病模型 ,比较静脉注入 76 %泛影葡胺 (10mg/kg)前2 4h黄芪灌胃和生理盐水灌胃的大鼠血肌酐、内生肌酐清除率和血浆ET - 1变化情况 ,以及肾脏ET - 1、ET受体A、B(ETR -A、ETR -B)表达情况。结果 :糖尿病大鼠在黄芪灌胃后禁水 2 4h,注射 76 %泛影葡胺 36h后 ,大鼠内生肌酐清除率下降幅度与生理盐水灌胃组相比有统计学意义 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,血浆ET - 1浓度无统计学意义。黄芪灌胃组与生理盐水灌胃组相比 ,肾小管间质ET - 1、ETR -A、ETR -B表达明显低。结论 :黄芪对糖尿病造影剂肾损害的发生有一定的预防作用 ,这种预防作用可能与抑制肾脏局部内皮素系统作用有关。