Effects of candesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, on diabetic nephropathy in KK/Ta mice.

Abstract Although therapeutic effects of angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) on renal injury in non-insulin dependant diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) have been demonstrated, the beneficial effects and their mechanisms in diabetic nephropathy have not been well evaluated. KK/Ta mice were divided into three groups according to the treatment: candesartan 4 mg/kg/day from 6 to 28 weeks of age (group I; early treatment); from 12 to 28 weeks of age (group II; late treatment); only vehicle (group III). BALB/c mice treated with vehicle were used as controls (group IV). Body weight (BW), systolic blood pressure (SBP), blood glucose, urinary type IV collagen and albumin excretion were measured every 4 weeks. Morphometry and immunohistology of albumin, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) and Smad7 were performed in all groups. BW and blood glucose were higher in groups I, II and III than in group IV from 8 weeks. SBP was markedly reduced in groups I and II compared with group III (p