Long-Term Administration of Angiotensin (1–7) to db/db Mice Reduces Oxidative Stress Damage in the Kidneys and Prevents Renal Dysfunction

Figure 1

Physiological kidney function and glomerular structure in the animals treated for 16 weeks. The peak systolic blood velocity was increased in the renal arteries of diabetic animals. Treatment with A(1–7) reduced this measurement (a). Plasma creatinine and urine protein/creatinine ratio was assessed after 16 weeks of treatment to determine kidney function. Both parameters were increased in diabetic mice treated with saline and reduced after administration of A(1–7) (b, c). Glomerular health was assessed by measuring the glomerular area (e) and mesangial expansion (f). Mesangial expansion is expressed as percentage of glomerular area stained for extracellular matrix. Both glomerular hypertrophy and extent of fibrosis were increased in the diabetic animals treated with saline. Glomerular dysfunction was prevented by a 16-week treatment with A(1–7). Representative images of glomeruli stained using the periodic acid-Schiff method taken at 40x magnification are shown in (d). (hzg: heterozygous; animals per group; , , and ) Calculated using one-way ANOVA; plotted as mean with SEM.

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