ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the influence of sodium selenite on the expression of adiponectin and nephrin in the kidney of rats with diabetic nephropathy, the relation of sodium selenite with adiponectin and nephrin, and to study the roles played by these factors in diabetic nephropathy. Methods Rat models of diabetic nephropathy were established by injecting intraperitoneally streptozocin combined with high fat diet. Three groups of rats were employed: control group, diabetic nephropathy group, and selenite-treated group. The selenite-treated rats were given selenite solution by intragastric administration every day, and other groups were given same volume of saline. After 10 weeks, all rats were sacrificed, blood and urine samples were collected. The kidneys were used to observe pathological changes with light microscope, and to locate protein expression with immunohistochemistry analysis. The mRNA and protein expressions of adiponectin and nephrin were analyzed via real-time PCR, RT PCR, and Western blot. Results The basic condition, biochemical parameters, and pathological images in selenite-treated group were better than those in diabetic nephropathy group. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed that the expression of adiponectin was in both glomeruli and renal tubules in selenite-treated group, and the coloration was enhanced as compared with diabetic nephropathy group. The mRNA and protein expressions of adiponectin in selenite-treated group were significantly higher than those in diabetic nephropathy group and the control group (all P＜0. 05 ). Nephrin expression in selenite-treated group was also higher than that in diabetic nephropathy group, but lower than that in control group. Conclusion Sodium selenite can enhance the mRNA and protein expressions of adiponectin and nephrin in kindey of rats with diabetic nephropathy. Sodium selenite,adiponectin, and nephrin may play important roles in delaying and preventing the development of diabetic nephropathy.