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Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by Nox NADPH oxidases may play a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). The efficacy of the Nox1/Nox4 inhibitor GKT137831 on the manifestations of DN was studied in OVE26 mice, a model of type 1 diabetes. Starting at 4-5 mo of age, OVE26 mice were treated with GKT137831 at 10 or 40 mg/kg, once-a-day for 4 wk. At both doses, GKT137831 inhibited NADPH oxidase activity, superoxide generation, and hydrogen peroxide production in the renal cortex from diabetic mice without affecting Nox1 or Nox4 protein expression. The increased expression of fibronectin and type IV collagen was reduced in the renal cortex, including glomeruli, of diabetic mice treated with GKT137831. GKT137831 significantly reduced glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial matrix expansion, urinary albumin excretion, and podocyte loss in OVE26 mice. GKT137831 also attenuated macrophage infiltration in glomeruli and tubulointerstitium. Collectively, our data indicate that pharmacological inhibition of Nox1/4 affords broad renoprotection in mice with preexisting diabetes and established kidney disease. This study validates the relevance of targeting Nox4 and identifies GKT137831 as a promising compound for the treatment of DN in type 1 diabetes.

Molecular mechanisms underlying renal complications of diabetes remain unclear. We tested whether renal NADPH oxidase (Nox) 4 contributes to increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and hyperactivation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways in diabetic nephropathy. Diabetic mice (db/db) (20 wk) and cultured mouse proximal tubule (MPT) cells exposed to high glucose (25 mmol/l, D-glucose) were studied. Expression (gene and protein) of Nox4, p22(phox), and p47(phox), but not Nox1 or Nox2, was increased in kidney cortex, but not medulla, from db/db vs. control mice (db/m) (P < 0.05). ROS generation, p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, and content of fibronectin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/2 were increased in db/db vs. db/m (P < 0.01). High glucose increased expression of Nox4, but not other Noxes vs. normal glucose (P < 0.05). This was associated with increased NADPH oxidase activation and enhanced ROS production. Nox4 downregulation by small-interfering RNA and inhibition of Nox4 activity by GK-136901 (Nox1/4 inhibitor) attenuated d-glucose-induced NADPH oxidase-derived ROS generation. High d-glucose, but not l-glucose, stimulated phosphorylation of p38MAP kinase and increased expression of TGF-β1/2 and fibronectin, effects that were inhibited by SB-203580 (p38MAP kinase inhibitor). GK-136901 inhibited d-glucose-induced actions. Our data indicate that, in diabetic conditions: 1) renal Nox4 is upregulated in a cortex-specific manner, 2) MPT cells possess functionally active Nox4-based NADPH, 3) Nox4 is a major source of renal ROS, and 4) activation of profibrotic processes is mediated via Nox4-sensitive, p38MAP kinase-dependent pathways. These findings implicate Nox4-based NADPH oxidase in molecular mechanisms underlying fibrosis in type 2 diabetic nephropathy.