Gene expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor in renal cortex of diabetic rat

Objective To estimate the mRNA of LOX 1 in the kidney of streptozotocin induced diabetic rat, and its role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy. Methods 18 male Sprague Dawley rats received injections of with streptozotocin to induce diabetes 4 given insulin as the therapeutic control group, and the other 14 rats served as the diabetic group. The urine albumin was guantitatively determined every four weeks, 14 weeks later, and the expression of LOX 1 mRNA in the renal cortex of the rats was detected by RT PCR 14 weeks later. Results The LOX 1 mRNA increased significantly in the kidneys of the diabetic group vs the control group(57.82 ±9.37 vs 41.05±1.90, P 0.05), but it was not decreased significantly in the group receiving insulin treatment (60.22± 9.84, P 0.05). The urine albumin content was related to the increase of LOX 1( r =0.850 6, P 0.01 ).Conclusions LOX 1 is upregulated in diabetic kidney, its interaction with Ox LDL may play an important role in the development and progression of diabetic nephropathy.