Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 26, 2026
Author Spotlight: Network Pharmacology and Molecular Docking to Decipher the Action of Jiawei Shengjiang San Against Diabetic Kidney Disease
Published on: May 10, 2024
Effects of vitamin D on renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy model rats
Yanyan Tian1, Guodong Lv2, Ye Yang1
1Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University Urumqi 830054, Xinjiang, China.
Abstract:
This study is to investigate the effects of vitamin D on renal fibrosis in rat diabetic nephropathy models, as well as the changes and interactions in the expressions of renal fibrogenesis- and inflammation-related genes. Rat diabetic nephropathy models were established by high-fat diets, which were subjected to TGF-β1 manipulation, as well as vitamin D treatment. H&E staining, Masson staining, and TEM detection were performed to assess the effects of vitamin D treatment and/or TGF-β1 manipulation on pathological changes in the renal tissues in these rat diabetic nephropathy models. Immunohistology and real-time PCR were used to evaluate the expressions of TGF-β1, MCP-1, CTGF, and VDR. Histological staining and TEM detection showed that, in both TGF-β1 over-expressed and interfered groups, vitamin D administration alleviated the renal fibrosis, compared with the vehicle treatment. Similar results were observed with the immunohistological staining. Real-time PCR analysis indicated that, when TGF-β1 was over-expressed in diabetic nephropathy, the expressions of MCP-1 and CTGF were also up-regulated, which would be decreased by the treatment of vitamin D. On the other hand, when TGF-β1 was interfered in DN, the expressions of MCP-1 and CTGF were relatively down-regulated, which would be further lowered by vitamin D administration. The mRNA expression of VDR was elevated by vitamin D treatment in these diabetic nephropathy models. Active vitamin D3 and lentivirus-mediated TGF-β1 interference could effectively reduce the renal fibrosis and protect the renal function in diabetic nephropathy rat models, which makes a promising therapeutic strategy for the disease.
Insights
Vitamin D treatment alleviates renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy rat models by modulating fibrogenesis and inflammation genes. This suggests vitamin D is a promising therapeutic strategy for diabetic kidney disease.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major complication of diabetes, characterized by progressive renal fibrosis.
- Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying renal fibrosis is crucial for developing effective treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the therapeutic effects of vitamin D on renal fibrosis in a rat model of diabetic nephropathy.
- To examine the impact of vitamin D on the expression of fibrogenesis- and inflammation-related genes, including TGF-β1, MCP-1, and CTGF.
- To assess the role of vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in response to vitamin D treatment.
Main Methods:
- Establishment of rat diabetic nephropathy models using high-fat diets.
- Manipulation of TGF-β1 expression (overexpression and interference).
- Administration of vitamin D treatment.
- Histological analysis (H&E, Masson staining) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for renal tissue assessment.
- Immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR to evaluate gene expression levels (TGF-β1, MCP-1, CTGF, VDR).
Main Results:
- Vitamin D administration significantly alleviated renal fibrosis and pathological changes in rat diabetic nephropathy models, irrespective of TGF-β1 levels.
- Vitamin D treatment reduced the expression of pro-fibrotic and inflammatory genes (MCP-1, CTGF) when TGF-β1 was overexpressed.
- Vitamin D further decreased MCP-1 and CTGF expression when TGF-β1 was interfered with, and upregulated VDR mRNA expression.
- Histological and TEM findings corroborated the protective effects of vitamin D.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D demonstrates significant renoprotective effects against fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy.
- Vitamin D modulates key fibrogenic and inflammatory pathways, offering a promising therapeutic avenue for diabetic kidney disease.
- The study highlights the potential of vitamin D as an adjuvant therapy for managing diabetic nephropathy.
More Related Videos
10:31Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
08:505/6th Nephrectomy in Combination with High Salt Diet and Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition to Induce Chronic Kidney Disease in the Lewis Rat
Published on: July 3, 2013
