Attenuation of tubular apoptosis by blockade of the renin-angiotensin system in diabetic Ren-2 rats

Abstract

Background. Tubular atrophy is a major feature of most renal diseases and is closely associated with loss of renal function. The present study sought to investigate tubular epithelial cell apoptosis in experimental diabetic nephropathy and to explore the role of pro-apoptotic [transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and anti-apoptotic growth factors [epidermal growth factor (EGF)]. The effects of renoprotective therapy with blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) also were examined. Methods. Six-week-old female Ren-2 rats were injected with streptozotocin (STZ) and maintained diabetic for 12 weeks. Further groups of diabetic rats were treated with the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) ..