Beneficial effect of proteases on TGF-beta production in glomeruli
from streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in rats
Paczek L.1,
Gaciong Z.1, Bartlomiejczyk I.1, Czyzyk A.1,
Heidland A.2. Beneficial effect of proteases on TGF-beta
production in glomeruli from streptozotocin induced diabetes
mellitus in rats. Inter. Journal of Tissue Reactions 1997, Vol. XIX,
No. 1/2, pp 93, abstract 115, ISSN 0250-0868. 149K/245 (19-04-2)
1 Warsaw School of Medicine, Warsaw, Poland. 2 University of
Wuerzburg, Germany.
7th Interscience World Conference on Inflammation, Antirheumatics,
Analgesics, Immunomodulators, May 19-21, Geneva, Switzerland.
Diabetic nephropathy (DM) is characterised by
an excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM). In turn,
perturbation of the glomeruli by the accumulation of fibronectin
(FN) with high biological activity may induce both proliferation of
mesangial cells and expansion of mesangial matrix. Transforming
growth factor beta (TGF-b) seems to be a key cytokine that inhibits
and terminates tissue repair as well as the development of
glomerulosclerosis within the kidney.
The purpose of this study was to assess TGF-b and FN accumulation in
glomeruli obtained from streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus in
rats treated via intraperitoneal route daily for 21 days with 12 mg
protease mixture (Phlogenzym®, Mucos Pharma, Germany). To
prevent ketoacidosis, the rats were treated daily with subcutaneous
injections of ultralente insulin in a dosage of 0.5 U. TGF-b and FN
were measured with EIA.
The data indicate that in glomeruli from diabetic rats TGF-b
production increased significantly and the treatment with Phlogenzym®
restores the production to the normal level. Increased accumulation
of FN observed in diabetic glomeruli was significantly reduced after
enzyme treatment.