Expression of β-catenin and its significance in renal tubules of diabetic rats

【Objective】 To observe the expression of β-catenin in renal tissues of diabetic rats,and explore its effect in the development of diabetic nephrophy.【Methods】 Eighty-four adult SD male rats were randomly divided into control group and DM group.Both groups were observed and compared at 2,4,8,12,16 and 24 W.Periodic acid-silver(PAS) staining was used to observe the tubule-interstitial injury.Blood glucose,24h urine protein,serum creatinine(Scr) of rats was measured.The protein or mRNA expressions of β-catenin,α-SMA and FN in renal cortex were detected by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcriptase,PCR(RT-PCR) respectively.【Results】 The levels of blood glucose,24 h urine protein、 Scr were increased remarkably in diabetic rats as compared with those in control groups(P 0.05,P 0.01).There were no difference in protein and mRNA of β-catenin in DM and control rats,but its expression was remarkably up-regulated in nucleus.In DM rats,interstitial and tubular staining of α-SMA were seen at the 2nd and 16th week respectively.The FN and α-SMA protein were significant increased in DM rats as compared with that of the controls.【Conclusion】 These date suggest that β-catenin might be probably involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT) of tubular epithelial cell and promoted the development of diabetic nephropathy.