ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the expression and significance of nestin in renal tubular epithelial cells in hypercholesterolemic rats. Methods Dietary-induced hyperlipidemia were induced in female SD rats by given 4% cholesterol and 1% cholic acid diet for 16 weeks. Changes of serum lipid, urinary albumin, serum creatinine and renal interstitial pathological changes were assessed. The expression of nestin and a-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by immunohistochemical stain. Results The serum levels of total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine were significantly increased in hyperlipidemia group, accompanied with renal interstitial injury and fibrosis. As time extended, the expression of nestin and a-SMA in renal tubular epithelial cells were increased significantly. There was positive correlation among the expression of nestin and total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, urinary albumin and serum creatinine( r =0.963,0.830,0.944,0.706, P <0.01). Nestin also had a positive correlation with tubular-interstitial index ( r = 0. 974, P < 0. 01) and α-SMA ( r = 0. 804, P < 0. 01). Conclusion The increased expression of nestin may be associated with renal tubular-interstitial fibrosis and tubular epithelial myofibroblast transdifferentiation in hypercholesterolemic rats.