Role of endoethelin-1 in development of neprhopathy induced with streptozocin

Abstract

The main aim of our study was to detect changes in plasma level of endoethelin-1 after experimentally induced diabetes and diabetic nephropathy with streptozocin in rats. The effects of ACE inhibitors are well known and thus, we wanted to analyze the influence of enalapril (ACE inhibitor) on plasma concentrations of endoethelin-1 as well as its effects in the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Single i.p. administration of streptozocin (STZ) caused a significant increase of endoethelin-1 plasma concentrations associated with distinct signs and symptoms of diabetic nephropathy (microalbuminuria, increased urine N-acetyl-D-glucosamidase, increased serum concentrations of urea and creatinine, polyuria). Four-week treatment with endoethelin-1 resulted in significant reduction of endoethelin-1 plasma concentrations and improved sings and symptoms of diabetic nephropathy. The results obtained have confirmed that endoethelin-1 may play an important role in development and progression of diabetic nephropathy and ACE inhibitors, that is enalapril, may alleviate and delay the progression of diabetic nephropathy