ABSTRACT
Objective To in ve stigate the effects of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) on matrix metallop roteinase-2 (MMP-2) activity and its mRNA expression in renal cortex of rats. Methods Diabetic model of rats was induced by s treptozotocin. AGEs were prepared by incubation of rat serum protein with 0.5 mo l/L glucose. AGEs was administered intravenously to normal rats (AGEs group), an d native rat serum protein was given as negative control (negative group) and no rmal rats without treatment were as control (control group). AGEs content in ren al cortex and serum was quantified by ELISA, MMP-2 and TIMP-2 mRNA expressions were examined by RT-PCR and MMP-2 activity was measured by zymography. Results AGEs content increased significantly, MMP-2 mRNA expression descended and TIMP-2 mRNA expression ascended in renal cortex o f diabetic rats (all P