Kmup-1 Protects Kidney from Streptozotocin-Induced Pro-Inflammation in Early Diabetic Nephropathy by Restoring Enos/Pparγ and Inhibiting MMP-9

KMUP-1 increases nitric oxide (NO) via endothelium nitric-oxide synthase (eNOS). Deficiency of eNOS and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARy) is the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). This study aims to investigate whether KMUP-1 inhibits streptozotocin (STZ)-induced proinflammation in early DN. In experiments, STZ was used to induce diabetes in Wistar rats. Twenty-four male rats were randomly divided into four groups, including control, STZ (65 mg/kg, i.p.), STZ+KMUP-1(1 mg/kg) and STZ+KMUP-1 (2.5 mg/kg). KMUP-1 HCl was dissolved in distilled water for oral administration. The morphology of renal tissues was evaluated by periodic acid-schiff (PAS) staining and immunohistochemistry of eNOS. The expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2/-9 (MMP-2/-9), eNOS, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) and PPARy of renal tissues were examined by Western blotting technique. NO production was evaluated by Griess reagent. Oxidative stress was evaluated by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS). Results indicated that STZ-induced diabetic mellitus (DM) and subsequent DN, including excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) accompanied by enhanced MMP-2/-9, raised ROS production, increased Bcl-2/Bax ratio and decreased eNOS/PPAR gamma over a period of 4 weeks. KMUP-1 inhibited STZ-induced hyperglycemia, BUN, MMP-2/MMP-9, and restored eNOS-PPAR gamma expression in renal tissues. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of eNOS in glomeruli of renal cortical tissue sections indicated that KMUP-1 restored the eNOS caused by STZ. PAS staining of glomeruli indicated that KMUP-1 could not significantly reduce STZ-induced ECM expansion. Moreover, KMUP-1 increased Bcl-2/Bax and decreased ROS. In summary, KMUP-1 inhibits STZ-induced proinflammation in early DN by restoring PPAR gamma/eNOS and inhibiting MMP-9.