Effects of Heparin on Transforming Growth Factor-β_1 and Extracellular Matrix Components in the Glomeruli of Diabetic Rats

摘要

The effects of heparin on the expression of transforming growth factor-β_1 (TGF-β_1) and two extracellular matrix components laminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) in diabetic rat glomeruli were investigated. Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into control group (C, n=8), diabetic group (D, n=9), and diabetes+heparin group (DH, n=9). After 8-week therapy of heparin (200 U once daily by abdominal injection), TGF-β_1 LN and FN expression in glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β_1 LN and FN were higher in group D than in group C. It was found that heparin could reduce 24-h urinary albumin excretion and inhibit overexpression of TGF-β_1 LN and FN in glomeruli of diabetic rats. It suggested that the inhibitory effect of heparin on diabetic glomerular sclerosis was at least partly related with the inhibition of TGF-β_1expression.