ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To explore the degradation mechanism of losartan on extracellular matrix in rats with diabetic nephropathy.@*METHODS@#The rat model of diabetic nephropathy was established by streptozotozin(STZ) injection, and the rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: (a normal group, a model group and a losartan group). For 16 weeks, the serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were measured, and glomerular sclerosis index(GSI) were caculated. The expression of collagen Type IV,connective tissue growth factor and transforming growth factor-beta1 were examined by Western blot and real time-PCR respectively.@*RESULTS@#Blood urea nitrogen, GSI and the expressions of collagen Type IV and CTGF protein in the losartan group were lower than those in the model group(all P<0.05), and the expressions of collagen Type IV mRNA,TGF-beta1 mRNA and CTGF mRNA were lower than those in the model group (all P<0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#Losartan modulates glomerular sclerosis and decreases the accumulation of collagen Type IV by inhibiting TGF-beta1 and CTGF.