PM2.5 Exposure Aggravates Kidney Injuries in Diabetic Mice

Abstract

Abstract Background: PM2.5, the particles with diameters no larger than 2.5 micrometers, are important contributors to air pollution and have been related to diabetes and kidney injury. The present study aims to investigate whether PM2.5 aggravates kidney conditions in the context of diabetes. Methods: Db/db mice were used to model diabetes and treated with escalating doses of PM2.5 particles. The treatments were performed through intratracheal instillation. Kidney conditions were assessed using a battery of histopathological staining and laboratory tests. Results: PM2.5 treatment led to more severe phenotypes of kidney injury characterized by altered histology and overall deteriorated kidney functions. Many biological processes were implicated in the injury including progression of renal interstitial fibrosis, increased monocyte infiltration and an exhausted antioxidative defense system. Conclusions: PM2.5 induces an additional detrimental effects on kidney conditions in diabetic mice, calling for focuses on the diabetes patients living at highly PM2.5-polluted environments.