Affiliation:
1. Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirão Preto
2. Ribeirao Preto Medical School, University of Sao Paulo
3. Faculty Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) remains one of the main causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and mortality in diabetic patients worldwide. Vitamin D deficiency (VitDD) is one of the main consequences of different chronic kidney disease (CKD) types and is associated with rapid progression to ESRD. Nevertheless, the mechanisms that lead to this process are poorly understood. The aim of study was to characterize a model of diabetic nephropathy progression in VitDD and the epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) role in these process.
Methods
Wistar Hannover rats received a diet with or without VitD before type 1 diabetes (T1D) induction. After this procedure, the rats were accompanied for 12 and 24 weeks after T1D induction and the renal function, structure, cell transdifferentiation markers and zinc finger e-box binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/ZEB2) contribution to kidney damage were evaluated during the DKD progression.
Results
The results showed increased in glomerular tuft, mesangial and interstitial relative areas and renal function impairment in VitD-deficient diabetic rats compared to diabetic rats that received VitD-containing diet. These alterations can be associated with increased expression EMT markers, ZEB1 gene expression, ZEB2 protein expression and TGF-β1 urinary excretion. Decreased miR-200b expression, an important post-transcriptional regulator of ZEB1 and ZEB2 was also observed.
Conclusion
Our data demonstrated that VitD deficiency contributes to rapid development and progression of DKD in diabetic rats induced by increased ZEB1/ZEB2 expressions and miR-200b downregulation.
Publisher
Research Square Platform LLC