Objective: To investigate the morphological changes and expressions of desmin and podocin in podocytes of rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN) rats and renal protection mechanism of Shenkangwan.
Methods: DN model was established in rats by a single injection of streptozotocin. The rats were then randomly divided into model group, Shenkangwan treatment group, irbesartan treatment group, and Shenkangwan plus irbesartan treatment group, with normal rats as the control group. All the rats received daily gavage for 8 weeks. The urinary protein quantity in 24 h were detected, and the morphological changes of the kidneys were observed with optic and transmission electron microscopes. The expressions of desmin and podocin in the podocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry.
Results: Shenkangwan and irbesartan reduced the urinary protein quantity in 24 h and alleviated the renal damage in DN rats, and the expression of desmin was significantly attenuated while podocin expression increased in the podocytes.
Conclusions: Shenkangwan can provide renal protection against DN in rats and alleviate the structural and functional damages of podocytes possibly by reducing desmin expression and increasing podocin expression in the podocytes.