Chymase inhibition retards albuminuria in type 2 diabetes
Benjamin J Bivona1, Shinji Takai2, Dale M Seth3
1Department of Physiology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, LA, USA.
Abstract:
Chymase released from mast cells produces pro-fibrotic, inflammatory, and vasoconstrictor agents. Studies were performed to test the hypothesis that chronic chymase inhibition provides a renal protective effect in type 2 diabetes. Diabetic (db/db) and control mice (db/m) were chronically infused with a chymase-specific inhibitor or vehicle for 8 weeks. Baseline urinary albumin excretion (UalbV) averaged 42 ± 3 and 442 ± 32 microg/d in control (n = 22) and diabetic mice (n = 27), respectively (p < .05). After administration of chymase inhibitor to diabetic mice, the change in UalbV was significantly lower (459 ± 57 microg/d) than in vehicle-treated diabetic mice (645 ± 108 microg/d). UNGAL V was not different at baseline between diabetic mice that would receive the chymase inhibitor (349 ± 56 ng/d, n = 6) and vehicle (373 ± 99 ng/d, n = 6) infusions, but increased significantly only in the vehicle-treated diabetic mice (p < .05). Glomeruli of diabetic kidneys treated chronically with chymase inhibition demonstrated reduced mesangial matrix expansion compared to glomeruli from untreated diabetic mice. Plasma angiotensin II levels were not altered by chymase inhibitor treatment. In summary, chronic chymase inhibition slowed the progression of urinary albumin excretion in diabetic mice. In conclusion, renal chymase may contribute to the progression of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes renal disease.
Insights
Chronic chymase inhibition slowed the progression of urinary albumin excretion in diabetic mice, suggesting renal chymase contributes to type 2 diabetes kidney disease progression.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Endocrinology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Mast cell chymase contributes to pro-fibrotic, inflammatory, and vasoconstrictor processes.
- Type 2 diabetes is associated with significant renal complications, including albuminuria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the renal protective effects of chronic chymase inhibition in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes.
Main Methods:
- Diabetic (db/db) and control (db/m) mice received chronic chymase inhibitor or vehicle infusion for 8 weeks.
- Urinary albumin excretion (UalbV) and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (UNGAL V) were measured.
- Renal histopathology, specifically mesangial matrix expansion, was assessed.
Main Results:
- Chymase inhibition significantly reduced the increase in UalbV in diabetic mice compared to vehicle-treated controls.
- UNGAL V increased significantly only in vehicle-treated diabetic mice.
- Reduced mesangial matrix expansion was observed in the glomeruli of diabetic mice treated with chymase inhibitor.
Conclusions:
- Chronic chymase inhibition demonstrated a renal protective effect in type 2 diabetes.
- Renal chymase plays a role in the progression of albuminuria in type 2 diabetes kidney disease.
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