The role of DJ-1/Nrf2 pathway in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy in rats

Figures & data

Table 1. Effects of different time on body weight, kidney weight, fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels in rats.

	Sham	4DM	8DM	12DM
Body weight (g)	275.77 ± 12.02	186.37 ± 17.22^a	179.78 ± 14.52^a^b	166.49 ± 15.76^a^b^c
Kidney weight (g)	1.03 ± 0.05	0.98 ± 0.11	1.01 ± 0.12	1.01 ± 0.07
Kidney/body weight ratio (g/g × 10^−3)	3.72 ± 0.13	5.28 ± 0.53^a	5.64 ± 0.82^a^b	6.10 ± 0.44
Glucose (mg/dL)	7.69 ± 0.84	25.71 ± 2.95^a	25.88 ± 2.52^a	22.76 ± 1.63^a
HbAlc (%)	4.67 ± 0.72	12.88 ± 1.65^a	13.68 ± 2.98^a	14.43 ± 1.84^a

Notes: Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of 8 animals.

^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of vehicle-treated normal rats (sham).

^bp

^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of STZ-diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 1. Renal histologic evaluation in the various treatment groups (HE ×200). Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of 8 animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 2. Serum Cys C (A) and β2-MG (B) levels in the different treatment groups. Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 3. Renal tissues T-AOC (A) and MDA (B) levels in the different treatment groups. Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 4. Correlation analysis between T-AOC and MDA levels with renal histologic evaluation score.

Figure 5. Expression of DJ-1 in renal tissues assessed by immunohistochemistry (SP ×400). Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 6. Expression of HO-1 in renal tissues assessed by immunohistochemistry (SP ×400). Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 7. Expression of Nrf2 in renal tissues assessed by immunohistochemistry (SP ×400). Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 8. Expressions of DJ-1, Nrf2 and HO-1 in renal tissues as assessed by Western blot. A, Western blot analysis for the presence of DJ-1 and HO-1 in cytoplasmic proteins and Nrf2 in nuclear proteins. β-actin and Lamin B1 were used as the protein loading controls for DJ-1, HO-1 and Nrf2, respectively. B, C, D, DJ-1, HO-1 and Nrf2 protein contents were detected by densitometry. Values (mean ± SD) were obtained for each group of eight animals. ^ap < 0.05 compared to the values of normal rats (sham). ^bp, ^cp < 0.05 compared to the values of diabetic rats after 4 weeks and 8 weeks (4DM, 8DM), respectively.

Figure 9. Correlation analysis between DJ-1 (A), Nrf2 (B) and HO-1 (C) expression with renal histologic evaluation score.