Abstract: Objective To observe the effect of nitrotyrosine on renal expressions of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), monocyte
chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in rats with diabetic nephropathy (DN).
Methods Rat DN models established by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) were randomly allocated into
model group, nitrotyrosine group and ebselen group, with untreated rats as the normal control group. The rats were given the
corresponding drugs for 8 weeks, and after the last administration, the 24-h urinary protein level was measured and the
kidneys of the rats were harvested for detecting the protein and mRNA expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1 with
immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR, respectively. The pathological changes of the kidneys were assessed microscopically.
Results Compared with those in the model group, the 24-h urinary protein level and expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1 and TGF-β1
mRNA and protein in the renal tissues were significantly increased by nitrotyrosine treatment, which also caused worsened
renal pathology, while treatment with ebselen significantly ameliorated these changes. Conclusion Nitrotyrosine can
up-regulate the mRNA and protein expressions of NF-κB, MCP-1and TGF-β1 and aggravate the inflammatory reaction in the
renal tissue of DN rats to promote the progression of DN.