Study on metallothionein expression in rats with diabetic nephropathy kidney

  Objective   To study the metallothionein(MT-1)expression in diabetic nephropathy kidney of rats induced by streptozotosin(ST Z).

  Methods   Rats were induced diabetic nephropathy using STZ tail intravenous injection.The immuno-chemical and RT-PCR technique were used to study the MT-1 protein and mRNA expressions in the kidney tissues of normal and diabetic nephropathy rats.

  Results   Weak MT-1 expression was detected in normal renal tissues while strong MT-1 staining was detected in renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy(P < 0105).The MT-1 protein expression was increased with the development of diabetic nephropathy.The expression of MT-1, TNF-A, MIP-1, COX2, TGF-B, PA-I1, Col-3 mRNA increased in renal tissues of 16 weeks diabetic nephropathy rats.(P < 0.05).

  Conclusion   Both MT-1 mRNA and protein expression were increased in ST Zinduced diabetic nephropathy rats indicated that MT-1 might be play an important role in pathophy siology process of diabetic nephro pathy development.It might be relative to oxidize-injure and might be one of cellular defense reactions.