Effects of endothelin or angiotensin II receptor blockade on diabetes in the transgenic (mRen-2)27 rat

Abstract

Background. Endothelin (ET) and angiotensin II (Ang II) are vasoactive/trophic peptides that may contribute to the progression of diabetic nephropathy. The transgenic (mRen-2)27 rat exhibits overexpression of Ang II at sites of normal physiological expression. Unlike other rat strains, the streptozotocin-induced diabetic Ren-2 rat develops progressive renal pathology associated with a declining glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and provides a convenient model to evaluate the role of these vasoactive peptides in the nephropathic process. Methods and Results. Oral administration of either the endothelin A (ET(A)) and ET(B) receptor antagonist bosentan or the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor an..