Transforming growth factor-beta in the development of rat diabetic nephropathy. A 10-month study with insulin-treated...

We investigated the intrarenal distribution of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) protein and the TGF-beta 1 mRNA levels in the glomeruli and renal cortex of Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes before and after the onset of diabetic nephropathy. Monthly urinary albumin excretion, glomerular filtration rate, glomerular volume, renal histology and immunohistochemical reaction for type-I collagen were also studied. The results showed progressively higher glomerular immunohistochemical TGF-beta 1 staining in rats with a diabetes duration of 24 and 40 weeks which was correlated with albuminuria (r = 0.905, p < 0.01) and was temporally associated with the appearance of glomerular deposition of total and type-I collagen. The glomerular content of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was higher in rats diabetic for 20 weeks while lower cortical RNA-TGF-beta 1 levels were found in rats with a diabetes duration of 1-40 weeks. These data suggest that this polypeptide may be an important mediator of diabetic glomerulosclerosis.