Objective To investigate the expression of angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ) type 1(AT1) receptors in the kidney of diabetic rats and its effects of blocking renin-angiotensin system(RAS).Methods Diabetic rats were given angiotensin Ⅱ receptor blocker,irbesartan(40?mg·kg^{-1}),angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor,fosinopril(40?mg·kg^{-1}),and irbesartan plus fosinopril(20?mg·kg^{-1},respectively),or placebo per day for 4 weeks.The expression of renal AT1 receptors were assessed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results Immunoblot for AT1 receptors showed that the expression of AT1 receptors decreased significantly in diabetic kidney.Treatment with irbesartan,fosinopril and their combination significantly increased the expression of AT1 receptors compared with that of controls(P<0.05).Conclusion In diabetes mellitus,treatment with irbesartan,fosinopril and their combination changes the expression of AT1 receptors in renal cortex,suggesting that local RAS in diabetic kidney be actively involved in the pathogenesis of DN. |