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Effect of Irbesartan on Chemerin in the Renal Tissues of Diabetic Rats
Qiu-Xia Yu1, Hong Zhang, Wen-Hui Xu
1Department of Endocrinology, First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 23 Youzheng Street, Nangang District, Harbin 150001, China.
Background/Aims:
Chemerin was introduced as a novel adipokine that plays a crucial role in insulin signaling and diabetic nephropathy. Serum chemerin levels are significantly elevated in type 2 diabetes patients with macroalbuminuria. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We conducted a preliminary investigation of the effects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on chemerin expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Methods:
Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomized into control, diabetic, and irbesartan-treated groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect mRNA expression of chemerin, angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1a), angiotensin II type 1b receptor (AT1b) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2). Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect chemerin in renal tissues.
Results:
Expression levels of chemerin in renal tissues were significantly elevated in the diabetic group compared to the control group. In the irbesartan-treated group, chemerin expression levels and RAS-related protein levels (i.e. AT1a and AT1b) were markedly decreased compared to the diabetic group. Irbesartan treatment reduced chemerin overexpression and RAS-related protein levels in diabetic rats (i.e. AT1a and AT1b).
Conclusion:
Irbesartan may inhibit intrarenal RAS in diabetic rats, which may affect the expression of chemerin in the kidneys; however, the precise underlying mechanism remains to be determined.
Insights
In diabetic rats, elevated kidney chemerin levels were reduced by irbesartan, suggesting the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) influences chemerin expression in diabetic nephropathy.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Chemerin, a novel adipokine, is implicated in insulin signaling and diabetic nephropathy.
- Elevated serum chemerin levels are observed in type 2 diabetes patients with macroalbuminuria.
- The precise mechanisms linking chemerin to diabetic nephropathy are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on chemerin expression in a rat model of diabetes.
- To explore the potential role of irbesartan, an RAS inhibitor, in modulating chemerin levels in diabetic kidneys.
Main Methods:
- Induction of diabetes in rats using streptozotocin.
- Treatment with irbesartan to assess its impact on RAS and chemerin.
- Quantitative analysis of chemerin and RAS-related gene expression (AT1a, AT1b, AT2) using real-time PCR.
- Immunohistochemical detection of renal chemerin.
Main Results:
- Diabetic rats exhibited significantly elevated renal chemerin mRNA and protein expression compared to controls.
- Irbesartan treatment markedly decreased chemerin expression and levels of RAS components (AT1a, AT1b) in diabetic rats.
- The findings indicate that irbesartan can reduce chemerin overexpression in the kidneys of diabetic rats.
Conclusions:
- Intrarenal RAS inhibition by irbesartan may modulate kidney chemerin expression in diabetic rats.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the exact molecular mechanisms involved.
- This study provides preliminary evidence for a link between RAS activity and chemerin regulation in diabetic nephropathy.
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