Fenofibrate attenuates diabetic nephropathy in experimental diabetic rat's model via suppression of augmented TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway

Abstract

Context: Fibrates, the ligands of peroxisome profileferator-activated receptor-α have been shown to have a renal protective action in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Objective: This study aimed to elucidate the effect of fenofibrate on renal transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and Smad3 in Streptozotocin (STZ)-induced DN. Methods: Diabetes was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg). Diabetic rats were given fenofibrate (100 mg/kg, p.o.). After 12 weeks, diabetic nephropathy biomarkers were assessed. The mRNA expression of collage I and III, TGF-β1 and Smad3 and were detected by RT–PCR. Results: Fenofibrate reduced significantly serum creatinine, kidney/body weight ratio, serum albumin excretion Collage I & III, TGF-β1 and Smad3 mRNA expression. Conclusions: Our results give further insights into the mechanisms underlying the protective role of fenofibrate in DN, suggesting that interference with TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway may be a useful therapeutic approach to prevent DN.

Keywords:

• Animals
• antibody
• diabetic nephropathy
• drugs
• fenofibrate
• Smad3
• TGF-β1

Declaration of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interests regarding the publication of this paper.

This research project was supported by a grant from the “Research Center of the Center for Female Scientific and Medical Colleges”, Deanship of Scientific Research, King Saud University.