Effect of genistein on expression of receptor of the advanced glycation end products in rat renal mesangial cells stimulated by advanced glycation end products

Objective To investigate the effect of genistein(Gen) on RAGE(receptor for advanced glycation end products) expression in rat mesangial cells(MC) stimulated by advanced glycation end products. Methods The mesangial cells were divided into three groups as high glucose group, AGEs group and Gen group. Immunohistochemistry was performed to determine the expression of RAGE. The expression of RAGEmRNA was assayed by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR). While the level of MDA was evaluated. Results RAGE expression and MDA level were significantly higher in AGEs group than those in high glucose group. Gen inhibited RAGE expression and decrease MDA level of MC, getting the most notable effect at 48 h and 200 μmol/L in a time- and dose-dependent manner (P 0.01) . These results were identical to those observed with semi-quantitative RT-PCR of RAGEmRNA. Conclusions The excessive gene and protein expression of RAGE in SD rat renal mesangial cells may occur as a result of AGEs. Gen attenuates the abnormal RAGE expression, possibly through blocking the oxidant stress, which could contribute to the prevention of renal damage from AGEs accumulation.