Expression of nephrin,ZO-1 in the kidney of diabetic rats and its correlation to the podocyte number

【Objective】 To investigate the change of nephrin,ZO-1 expression and the correlation between the podocyte number and nephrin,ZO-1 expression.【Methods】 STZ-induced diabetic rats were established,immunohistochemical and RT-PCR were employed to study the change of nephrin,ZO-1 protein and mRNA.WT-1 was used to stain podocyte nucleu to investigate the change of podocyte number.【Results】 At week 8,the expression of nephrin,ZO-1 protein decreased dramatically(P 0.05);At week 12,It decreased more obviously(P 0.01).At two time points,the podocyte number decreased dramatically(P 0.05).The podocyte number correlated positively with nephrin,ZO-1(r =0.93,P =0.0024,r =0.923 P =0.0086).The podocyte number correlated negatively with urine protein(r =-0.95,P =0.0036).【Conclusion】 The expression of nephrin,ZO-1 decrease in diabetic nephropathy and correlate positively with podocyte number,There is close relationship between the nephrin,ZO-1 expression,podocyte number and urine protein.