Expression of SARS-CoV functional receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 in nephritic epithelium of primates

AIM: To investigate the expression of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in nephritic epithelium of primates. METHODS: The expression of ACE2 in Vero E6 cells was detected by the techniques of RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry (ICC) techniques. The distribution of ACE2 protein in kidney tissues of two Rhesus monkeys and two normal human cases was observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. RESULTS: Vero E6 cells were found to express both ACE2 mRNA and protein. ACE2 protein was mainly located in epithelium of proximal tubules of Rhesus monkey and human kidney. CONCLUSION: The expression of ACE2 in epithelium of primate kidney may provide the condition for SARS-CoV entry, which may be one of the reasons for inducing renal damage in SARS patients.     

Expression of survivin in pancreas in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

AIM: To investigate the expression of survivin in pancreas in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. METHODS: Low dose of streptozotocin was used to induce diabetes mellitus in BALB/c mice. Body weight and blood glucose concentrations were examined at 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after the streptozotocin injection. Expression of survivin mRNA was detected by real-time FQ-PCR. RESULTS: Survivin was expressed in the pancreas of normal BALB/c mice. Low dose of streptozotocin provoked hyperglycaemia with increased survivin expression in the pancreas, but blood glucose concentration and expression of survivin was not significantly changed in control group. CONCLUSION: Survivin is expressed in the pancreas of normal BALB/c mice. Streptozotocin increases survivin expression in the pancreas, which may be related with islets regeneration.     

Expression of zinc-finger transcription factor Snail 1 in the kidney of diabetic rats

AIM: To explore the expression of Snail 1 in renal tissues of diabetic rats, and to investigate its contribution to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. METHODS: Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomly divided into 2, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 weeks groups and 16 week A, 20 week A and 24 week A groups. A groups were treated with insulin to control blood glucose to normal level from the 13th week. Control groups were set up in age-matched time points. Blood glucose, 24 h urine protein, serum creatinine (Scr) and kidney index of rats were measured. Periodic acid-silver (PAS) staining was used to observe the renal pathological changes. The mRNA and protein expressions of Snail 1 and FN in renal cortex were detected by RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively. Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of Snail 1 protein in the renal cortex. RESULTS: The levels of blood glucose, Scr, kidney weight index were increased remarkably in diabetic rats as compared with those in control groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased remarkably in the insulin-treated rats as compared with those in the diabetic rats (P<0.05, P<0.01). The Snail 1 protein was not detected by immunohistochemical staining in normal renal tissues. However, strongly positive staining was observed in renal tubules of diabetic rats. A time-dependent loss of Snail 1 expression was detected in the kidney in insulin-treated rats. The Snail 1 protein and mRNA of Snail 1 and FN were significantly up-regulated in the diabetic rats as compared with those in controls (P<0.01), while down-regulated in the insulin-treated diabetic rats (P<0.01). A close positive relationship existed between the mRNA expression of Snail 1 and FN (r=0.800, P<0.01). The level of Snail 1 protein expression was positively correlated with blood glucose, urine protein, Scr, kidney index (r=0.877, 0.694, 0.522, 0.875, P<0.01).CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that Snail 1 gene and protein expression are up-regulated in the kidney of rats with diabetes and may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.     

Role of autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration in diabetic rats

AIM:To explore the levels of apoptosis and autophagy in the nucleus pulposus tissues of intervertebral discs in diabetic rats. METHODS:Sixteen weeks after injection of streptozocin (STZ), the lumbar intervertebral discs were obtained from the rats. The histological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and alcian blue staining. The apoptosis of the nucleus pulposus cells was measured by the methods of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling (TUNEL), immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting. The level of autophagy in the nucleus pulposus cells was detected by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS:Compared with normal group, HE and alcian blue staining suggested that the intervertebral discs of the diabetic rats became degenerate. The expression of caspase-3 and the apoptotic rate were increased in intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus of the diabetic rats. The results of immunohistochemistry and Western blotting showed that the expression levels of LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰand beclin-1 in the diabetic rats were higher than those in normal group. CONCLUSION: The STZ-induced diabetes accelerates degeneration of the intervertebral discs. In addition, the apoptosis and autophagy are increased in the intervertebral discs of diabetic rats.     

Expression of TGF-β1 and Smad2/3 in kidney of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy rats

AIM: To study the role of TGF-β/Smad pathway in the development of renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.METHODS: Rats were induced to diabetic nephropathy by using tail intravenous injection of STZ.The expression of TGF-β₁, Smad2/3 protein and mRNA in kidney were examined at 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks after STZ induction.CTGF, collagen-Ⅲ, PAI-1 mRNA expression in kidney at 16 weeks of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy and normal rats were studied by RT-PCR.RESULTS: Weak TGF-β₁, Smad2/3 protein were detected in normal renal tissues while strong TGF-β₁, Smad2/3 staining were observed in renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy (0.057±0.030/0.223±0.040;0.017±0.010/0.153±0.010, respectively, P<0.05).The TGF-β₁, Smad2/3 protein expression were constantly high with the development of diabetic nephropathy and fibrosis (0.153±0.010, 0.122±0.050, 0.141±0.070 and 0.216±0.030 for 2, 4, 8 and 16 weeks, respectively).The TGF-β₁, Smad2 mRNA expression also increased with the development of diabetic nephropathy (2.86, 3.25 fold compared to control, respectively).The expression of TGF-β₁, Smad2, CTGF, collagen-Ⅲ and PAI-1 mRNA were significantly higher in kidney of 16 week diabetic nephropathy rats than that in normal ones (3.92, 2.95, 1.57, 1.95 and 1.97 folds compare to control, respectively, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The results indicate that TGF-β₁/ Smad2 pathway activity might play an important role in pathophysiological process of diabetic nephropathy.It may be involved in diabetic renal fibrosis through up-regulation of CTGF and PAI-1 to promote extracellular matrix deposition.     

Orthotopic transplant fetal rat pancreatic stem cells for treating diabetes mellitus

AIM: To observe the possibility of differentiation of fetal rat pancreatic stem cells into islet-like cell cluster by transplantation of fetal rat pancreatic stem cells into pancreatic parenchyma in diabetic SD rats. METHODS: The pancreatic stem cells (PSCs) were harvested from pancreatic rudiments of SD rat embryos on embryonic day 16. SRY DNA was examined to discriminate gender by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The pancreatic stem cells were identified by nestin and PDX-1 immunostaining and flow cytometry. Adult SD rats were divided into three groups including 10 pancreatic parenchymal orthotopic transplantation, 10 experimental controls and 10 normal controls. In orthotopic transplantation group, 1×10⁶ male fetal pancreatic stem cells per rat were injected into diabetic rat pancreatic parenchyma while in experimental control group equivalent volume of PBS was injected into diabetic rat pancreatic parenchyma. Glucose and insulin level in serum were monitored periodically. 8 weeks after transplantation pancreata were excised for histological and morphometric analysis. SRY DNA was detected by FISH. Nestin, PDX-1 and insulin mRNA expression in pancreata were detected by RT-PCR, insulin and PDX-1 protein contents were assessed by Western blotting. RESULTS: 5 of 12 fetal rats were male according to FISH. After passaged 3 generations, the PSCs expressed nestin and PDX-1 according to immunostaining while identified by flow cytometry with 74.1% of PSCs expressed nestin. The orthotopic transplantation of PSCs led to stable reduction in hyperglycemia and increase in insulin level in serum (3 weeks after transplantation), culminating (5 weeks post-transplantation) in restoration of normoglycemia which remained steady during the course of experiment without further relapse. Exogenous islet-like cell clusters were found and expressed SRY DNA in the orthotopic transplanted recipients pancreata 8 weeks post-transplantation. The expression levels of insulin mRNA and protein in the orthotopic transplanted recipients pancreata were higher than those in experimental control (P<0.05), and the expressions of PDX-1 mRNA and protein were also higher than those in normal control (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: When orthotopic transplant into pancreatic parenchyma PSCs from fetal rat differentiates into islet-like cell cluster, gains comparable function with normal islets and reverses experimental diabetes.     

Effects of vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent relaxationagent on thoracic aortic rings of diabetes mice

AIM: To discuss the effects of vasoconstrictor and endothelium-dependent relaxation agent on the thoracic aortic rings in different stages of diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally to establish diabetic model in C57BL/6J mice. At the 17th, 22nd, 28th week, diabetic and age-matched control mice were sacrificed respectively and the effects of vasoconstrictors: phenylephrine (PE), 60 mmol/L KCl and endothelium-dependent relaxation agent respectively (ACh) were measured in two groups using thoracic aortic rings. RESULTS: The level of fasting plasma glucose concentration 2 weeks after STZ treatment increased higher (≥11.1 mol/L) in STZ-induced diabetic mice than that in age-matched controls, and maintained at this level in entire experiment course. On the contrary, the weight was decreased significantly. The responses of thoracic aortic rings in STZ-induced diabetic mice to PE were increased, unaltered and increased at the 17th, 22nd, 28th weeks, respectively compared to that in age-matched controls. The responses to 60 mmol/L KCl were also increased in all stages. While the responses to ACh were increased, unaltered and decreased at the 17th, 22nd, 28th weeks, respectively compared to that in age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: The responses of thoracic aortic rings to vasoconstrictor enhance in STZ-induced diabetic mice. However, the endothelial functions potentiate initially due to compensation, and then lower exhibiting endothelial damage.     

Renal protective effect of spirinolactone and cilazapril on diabetic rats

AIM: To assess the renal protective effect of the combination use of spirinolactone and cilazapril on streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rats with single nephrectomy. METHODS: Diabetic nephropathies were induced by intraperitoneal injection of STZ in the rats with single nephrectomy. The rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control; diabetes; diabetes treated with spirinolactone; diabetes treated with cilazapril; diabetic rats treated with spirinolactone and cilazapril. The expression of NF-κB and PAI-1 in the glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemical staining. RT-PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of AT-1R. RESULTS: Increased 24 h urinary protein, decreased Ccr and the pathological injury of the renal tissues were improved by the treatment with either spirinolactone or cilazapril alone and further ameliorated by using the combination of the two drugs. The activity of NF-κB and PAI-1 was higher in the renal tissues of diabetic rats than that in control group, and further attenuated by the combination therapy in both cases (P<0.05). The over-expression of AT-1R mRNA observed in the diabetic rats was attenuated by treating with spirinolactone or cilazapril and further reduced by the combination use of the two drugs (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The combination use of spirinolactone and cilazapril confers superiority over monotherapy on the effect of renal protection. The mechanism may be partly correlated with synergistic suppression of the increasing activity of NF-κB and PAI-1 as well as the over-expression of AT-1R mRNA in renal tissues.     

Impaired function of pancreatic β cells in the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of Huntington's disease

AIM: To study the function of pancreatic β cells in the R6/2 transgenic mouse of Huntingtons disease(HD), and to elucidate the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying diabetes mellitus in transgenic mice of HD. METHODS: By using the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD, fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin concentration in plasma of normal and HD mice were detected. Further, HE staining and immunofluorescence technique were used for morphometric analysis of islets in normal and HD mice. RESULTS: In contrast to normal mouse, R6/2 HD mouse showed hyperglycemia and hypoinsulinemia in fasting state. Pancreatic islets morphology showed that islets atrophied and cell number decreased in HD mouse. Poor functional index was observed in these mice, but insulin resistance index was normal. CONCLUSION: Impaired function of pancreatic cells may be the key factor contributing to the pathogenesis of diabetes in the R6/2 transgenic mouse model of HD.     

Expression of cathepsin B and cystatin C and its potential role in diabetic rats

AIM: To observe the expressions of cathepsin B (CB) and cystatin C (CC) in different stage of diabetic rats and to investigates their potential roles.METHODS: Sixty rats were divided into diabetes mellitus group induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (55 mg/kg) and normal group injected with citrate buffer. Ten rats were sacrificed respectively at the end of fourth week, eighth week and sixteenth week in both groups. 24 h urine excretion was collected in rats before sacrifice. The blood and the kidney were also collected. The mRNA and protein expressions of CB and CC in kidney were detected by real time PCR and immunohistochemical staining, respectively.RESULTS: At the end of eighth week, the expression of Ccr, 24 h urinary protein excretion, CB, CC in diabetic rats increased significantly, compared to the results at the fourth week (P<0.01 or P<0.05). With the aggravation of diabetic nephropathy, the expressions of CC, colⅣ, FN and 24 h urinary protein excretion were up-regulated significantly (P<0.01 or P<0.05). The expression of CB in diabetic rats was up-regulated at eighth week significantly (P<0.01), whereas, at the end of sixteenth week it was down-regulated significantly (P<0.01). The 24 h urinary protein excretion, the expressions of colⅣ at protein and mRNA levels and FN were negatively correlated with CB (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The unbalance of CB and CC exists in diabetic nephropathy renal tissue, which is likely to lead to the accumulation of extracellular matrix.     

CXCL16 deficiency attenuates STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice

AIM: To explore the effect of CXCL16 deficiency on streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice. METHODS: CXCL16 knockout (C16 KO) mice (8 years old) were used to build up diabetes model by treating with STZ.Age- and gender-matched wild-type (WT) C57BL/6J mice treated with STZ were used as control. All mice were fed with chow diets for 12 weeks, and the development of diabetic nephropathy was evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with the WT mice treated with STZ, C16 KO mice treated with STZ presented lower fasting glucose levels and better glucose tolerance power. C16 KO mice treated with STZ also had lower urine protein levels and smaller areas of glomerular injury as compared with WT mice treated with STZ. Furthermore, CXCL16 deficiency decreased the contents of renal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and the mRNA expression of lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (Lox-1), and attenuated the expression of renal inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), as well as chemokines including intercellular cell adhesion molecular 1 (ICAM-1) and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1). CONCLUSION: CXCL16 deficiency obviously inhibits the development of STZ-induced diabetic nephropathy in mice.     

Ultrastructural impairment of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice

AIM: To investigate the ultrastructural changes of islet microvascular endothelial cells in STZ-induced type 1 diabetic mice. METHODS: BALB/c mice were randomly divided into diabetic group and control group. The expression of insulin and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (CD31) in islet microvessels was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The ultrastructural changes of islet β cells and islet microvessels were observed under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Compared with control group, the number of islet β cells, ratio of β cells/α cells, average number of secretory granules in β cells and insulin expression area per islet in diabetic group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Besides, diabetic group had fewer microvessels with lower expression of CD31 (P<0.01). Mitochondria in islet microvascular endothelial cells and pericytes in diabetic group were swelling. The basement membrane of islet microvessels became thicker in diabetic group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Islet microvascular endothelial cells were impaired in type 1 diabetic mice.     

Activity of peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation in liver of experimental diabetic rats

AIM:To clarify the change of peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation in diabetic rats and its correlation to lipid metabolism disorder in diabetes mellitus. METHODS:Diabetic rat model was induced by streptozotocin (STZ) injection. The number and morphological changes of peroxisomes were compared by electronic microscope. The activities of major enzymes involved in peroxisomal β-oxidation were detected by spectrophotometric and fluorometric assay in livers from both STZ-induced diabetic and control rats. RESULTS:The level of serum triglyceride was significantly higher and the level of serum high-density lipoproteir cholesterol was significantly lower in STZ-induced diabetic rats than those in control rats. In the liver of diabetic rats, the peroxisomes proliferated and fatty acid β-oxidation of peroxisome was strengthened. The activities of catalase and fatty acyl-CoA oxidase in the diabetic rat liver were significantly increased compared to control rats. CONCLUSION:In diabetic state, lipid metabolism disorder continuously exists. The peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation strengthens and the activities of major enzymes involved in peroxisomal β-oxidation are significantly increased in the liver of STZ-induced diabetic rat.     

Histochemical changes of skin in diabetic rats

AIM: To explore the histochemical changes of diabetic skin and the pathogenesis of impaired wound healing in diabetes. METHODS: 54 male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats weighing 200-220 g were randomized into control and STZ-induced diabetic groups. The shaved skin specimens from the back of rats were collected in 4, 8 and 12 weeks post STZ-induction, respectively. Hematoxylin-eosin dye was used for histological examination. Meanwhile, the skin glucose contents were measured by Beckman’s autoanalyzer. Skin AGEs concentrations were assessed by detecting total fluorescence in tissue collagen and immunohistochemistry assay. RESULTS: The skin thickness in diabetic animals was decreased, with the features of multilayer epithelium structure disappeared in epidermis and collagen fibers atrophied, swollen and degenerated in dermis; The inflammatory responses in the dermis of diabetic animals were increased obviously. The results also revealed that skin glucose contents in diabetic rats ［(2.64±1.03）mg/g skin］ were 2-3 times higher than those in the controls ［(0.74±0.33)mg/g skin］ (P<0.01). The collagen fluorescence and AGEs positive expressions in diabetic skin enhanced significantly when compared with age-matched controls over the whole experimental course (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A histochemical changes had already been occurred in diabetic skin before injury, which may be result from the local biochemical factors such as high concentrations of glucose and AGEs. These might be an important mechanism in the pathogenesis of impaired wound healing in diabetes.     

Effect of circRNA_000203 on fibrotic phenotypes in mouse cardiac fibroblasts

AIM: To determine circular RNA (circRNA) profiles in the diabetic mouse myocardium, and to investigate the effect of circRNA_000203 on fibrotic phenotypes in cardiac fibroblasts.METHODS: Masson trichrome staining was performed on the myocardium of the diabetic db/db mice and the non diabetic db/m control mice. circRNA expression profile in the diabetic myocardium was detected by circRNAs microarray. The expression of circRNA_000203 was determined by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Recombinant circRNA_000203 adenovirus was prepared for enforced the expression of circRNA_000203 in mouse cardiac fibroblasts. The expression of Col1a2, Col3a1and α-SMA was determined in circRNA_000203-modified cardiac fibroblasts, respectively. RESULTS: Masson trichrome staining showed that fibrosis was increased in the diabetic mouse myocardium. The results of circRNA array detection revealed that circRNAs were dysregulated in the diabetic myocardium. circRNA_000203 was up-regulated in the diabetic myocardium. Significant over-expression of circRNA_000203 was achieved in the cardiac fibroblasts after infection with the recombinant circRNA_000203 adenovirus. The mRNA and protein expression of Col1a2, Col3a1 and α-SMA was significantly increased in the cardiac fibroblasts with over-expression of circRNA_000203.CONCLUSION: circRNA_000203 is up-regulated in the diabetic mouse myocardium. It has pro-fibrotic effect on the cardiac fibroblasts.     

Effect of pentoxifylline on caspases expression in islet beta-cells of NOD mice

AIM: To investigate the intervention effect of pentoxifylline (PTX) on type 1 diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic (NOD)mice and explore its possible mechanism.METHODS: Eight-week-old NOD mice were treated with PTX to investigate the incidence of cyclophosphamide accelerating diabetes.The apoptosis of beta-cells was detected by TUNEL,the expressions of caspase-3 in islet of the NOD mice was checked by immunohistochemistry and the expressions of caspase-8 was determined by RT-PCR.RESULTS: The incidence of diabetes in PTX group was 40.63%,which was obviously lower than 69.70% in the control group (P<0.05). Apoptosis index of beta-cells was 4.80% in PTX group and was 9.04% in control group,of which the former was lower than the latter (P<0.01).The expression of caspase-3 in islet of the mice in PTX group was much lower than that in control group,and the expression of caspase-8 mRNA in pancreas in PTX group were also markedly lower than that in control group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: PTX prevents NOD mice from developing type 1 diabetes,which may be related to the downregulation of caspase-3 and caspase-8 expressions in pancreas and then the decrease of beta-cell apoptosis.     

Expression changes of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in diabetic ulcer

AIM: To observe the effect of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway on diabetic ulcer. METHODS: Diabetic animal model was established in the female Wistar rats by intraperitoneal injection of low-dose streptozotocin following high-fat diet feeding. A circular wound was made on the dorsum of the rats in both control group and diabetic group. The condition of wound healing was recorded and the structures of the wound tissues were observed by HE staining in the 2 groups at 3, 7 and 14 d after wounding. The expression of β-catenin, GSK-3β and Rspo-3 at mRNA and protein levels in the wound tissues was detected by RT-PCR and ELISA. RESULTS: In diabetic group, the wound healing rate was lower (P<0.05), and the inflammatory cells, fibroblast cells and new capillaries in the wound tissues were fewer than those in control group. The expression of β-catenin and Rspo-3 at mRNA and protein levels in the wound tissues in control group was significantly higher than those in diabetic group, and the expression of GSK-3β was exactly the opposite (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The down-regulation of Wnt/β-catenin probably resultes from the decreased level of Rspo-3, which may be one of the reasons for delaying the diabetic ulcer healing.