Resveratrol Ameliorates Diabetes-induced Renal Damage through Regulating the Expression of TGF-β1, Collagen IV and Th17/Treg-related Cytokines in Rats.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed at detecting the protective effects of resveratrol on diabetes-induced renal damage and on the expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1), collagen IV and Th17/Tregrelated cytokines in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

METHODS

Twenty diabetic rats were further randomly divided into diabetic model group (DM group) and resveratrol group with 10 animals in each group. Another 1- non-diabetic rats served as control. The diabetic rats in the resveratrol group were administered resveratrol for eight consecutive weeks (via gavage, 50 mg/kg daily, dissolved in saline). Rats in the control group and DM group received the same volume of saline only (via gavage). Renal function was measured. Histopathology changes of the kidney tissue were observed using haematoxylin and eosin staining. Levels of TGF-β1 and collagen IV in kidney homogenate were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The level of Th17-related cytokines (IL-17A, IL-25) and Treg-related cytokines (IL-35, IL-10) in serum and in the supernatant of the kidney homogenate were determined using ELISA.

RESULTS

Diabetic rats had damaged renal function, higher levels of TGF-β1, collagen IV, IL-17A and IL-25, as well as lower levels of IL-35 and IL-10, when compared to the control rats. Compared to the diabetic rats without resveratrol treatment, application of resveratrol to the diabetic rats ameliorated the renal function, inhibited the expression of TGF-β1, collagen IV, IL-17A and IL-25, and increased the expression IL-35 and IL-10.

CONCLUSION

Resveratrol might ameliorate diabetes-induced renal damage through mediating the balance of Th17/Treg-related cytokines and inhibiting the expression of TGF-β1 and collagen IV.