ABSTRACT
Objective To detect the expression of Raf kinase inhibitor protein (RKIP) and NF-κB in renal tissue of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) rats model,and to investigate the effect of rituximab (RTX) on the expression of RKIP in the renal tissue of DKD rats. Methods SD rats were randomly divided into normal group (N),DKD model group (M) and RTX treatment group (D).Blood glucose and 24-hour urine protein of rats were determined in three groups.RKIP protein and NF-κB protein were determined by immunohistochemistry staining. RKIP protein expression was detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with N group,blood glucose,24-hour urine protein and NF-κB expression in M group increased significantly (all P＜ 0.01),the expression of RKIP in M group decreased significantly (P＜0.05).Compared with M group,the expression of RKIP increased significantly in D group (P＜0.05),and 24-hour urine protein and NF-κB expression decreased in D group (all P＜0.05).NF-κB protein expression was negatively correlated with RKIP expression in M group. Conclusions The NF-κB pathway regulated by RKIP plays an important role in the development and pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.Rituximab may have a role in treatment of DKD.