[Rhein promotes the expression of SIRT1 in kidney tissues of type 2 diabetic rat]
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 13, 2026
Comparative Proteomic Analysis of Whole Kidney, Medulla, and Cortical Tubules in Diabetic Pathogenesis of Kidney Injury in Mice
Published on: May 2, 2025
Weidong Chen1, Baochao Chang1, Yan Zhang1
1Department of Nephrology, First Affiliated Hospital, Bengbu Medical College, Anhui 233000, China.
Objective:
To observe the effect of rhein on the expression of SIRT1(Sirtuin 1) in kidney of diabetic rats, and to explore the role of rhein in protecting rat kidney against diabetic nephropathy and possible mechanism.
Methods:
The type 2 diabetic rats were induced by high-glucose and high-fat diet combined with streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body mass). Seventy-five eight-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: normal group, diabetic group, low-, medium- and high-dose (50, 100, 150 mg/kg) rhein treatment groups and 10 mg/kg pioglitazone treatment group. The rats were given corresponding substances intragastrically once a day. At the end of the 16th week, the fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting insulin (FINS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), serum creatinine (Scr) and 24 hours urine protein (24 h U-PRO) were determined. The renal hypertrophy index (KM/BM), insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were calculated. The pathological changes in renal tissues were examined by PAS staining under a light microscopy. The mean glomerular area (MGA) and mean glomerular volume (MGV) were measured by pathological image analysis system. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were used to determine the expression of SIRT1 in renal tissues at protein and mRNA levels, respectively.
Results:
The expression of SIRT1 was down-regulated in the kidney of diabetic rats. The levels of FPG, FINS, HOMA-IR, TG, TC, Scr, 24 h U-PRO, KM/BM, MGA and MGV significantly decreased and the histopathology of renal tissues were significantly improved in all treatment groups compared with diabetic group. The expression of SIRT1 mRNA and protein markedly increased in rhein treatment groups and pioglitazone treatment group compared with diabetic group. The indicators in high-dose rhein treatment group were improved more significantly than those in the other groups. Correlation analysis showed that the expression of SIRT1 was negatively correlated with 24 h U-PRO and MGV.
Conclusion:
The expression of SIRT1 was reduced in kidney tissues of diabetic rats. Rhein could attenuate kidney damage in diabetic rats by improving the insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and increasing the SIRT1 expression.
Insights
Rhein treatment improved kidney function in diabetic rats by reducing blood glucose and improving insulin resistance. It also increased Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression, suggesting a protective mechanism against diabetic nephropathy.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Diabetic nephropathy is a major complication of diabetes, characterized by kidney damage.
- Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) plays a role in metabolic regulation and cellular protection.
- Understanding the therapeutic potential of natural compounds like rhein is crucial for managing diabetic nephropathy.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effect of rhein on Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) expression in the kidneys of diabetic rats.
- To explore rhein's protective role against diabetic nephropathy and its underlying mechanisms.
Summary:
- Diabetic rats treated with rhein showed significant improvements in kidney function markers, including reduced plasma glucose, insulin resistance, and urinary protein excretion.
- Rhein treatment led to a dose-dependent increase in SIRT1 expression at both mRNA and protein levels in renal tissues.
- Histopathological examination revealed attenuated kidney damage in rhein-treated groups, with high-dose rhein showing the most significant benefits.
Impact:
- Rhein demonstrates therapeutic potential in mitigating diabetic nephropathy by improving metabolic parameters and enhancing SIRT1 expression.
- The findings suggest that rhein could be a valuable agent for managing diabetic kidney disease.
- This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms by which rhein exerts its renoprotective effects.
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