A new model of diabetic nephropathy with progressive renal impairment in the transgenic (mRen-2)27 rat (TGR)

Abstract

Background. The tissue renin-angiotensin system (RAS) may modulate the structural and functional changes that occur in the diabetic kidney. Methods. Hypertensive transgenic (mREN-2)27 rat (TGR) that exhibit increased tissue renin expression were administered streptozotocin (STZ, diabetic) or citrate buffer (non-diabetic) at six weeks of age, and sacrificed 4 and 12 weeks later. Further groups were treated for 12 weeks post-STZ or vehicle with the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, perindopril. Comparisons were made with 18-week-old non-diabetic and diabetic spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Results. In diabetic TGR, the most florid lesion was seen after 12 weeks of STZ, with kidne..