Effect of NOS on podocytes in hyperlipidemia rats and the protection of simvastatin in podocyte damage

AIM: To investigate the possible effect of hyperlipidemia on golmerular podocytes,the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) availability and the synthesis of NOS in podocyte damage by hyperlipidemia,further to study the protective effect of simvastatin on podocytes.METHODS: 4 groups of Wistar rats were fed high fat diet for 18 weeks.Serum lipid,urinary protein excretion and renal pathological changes were detected.Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the expression of desmin.The expression of nNOS was detected by Western blotting.RESULTS: The level of serum lipid was increased significantly in hyperlipidemic group and treated group after 4 weeks (P<0.01) and was decreased significantly in simvastatin treated group compared with hyperlipidemic group (P<0.01).Podocyte injury was detected under electronic microscopy in hyperlipidemic group after 4 weeks,and the injury became more serious during the lasting time.The expression of desmin was increased in hyperlipidemic group after 4 weeks,and the level was significantly decreased in treated groups (P<0.01).The urinary protein excretion was increased significantly after 6 weeks (P<0.01),and the level was significantly lower in treated groups (P<0.01).The expression of nNOS was significantly decreased in hyperlipidemic and treated groups (P<0.01),and the level significantly decreased in simvastatin group (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidemia induces podocyte injury.The injury seems to be associated with NO deficiency and decreased renal NOS activity.The injury can be relieved by simvastatin.