Effects of heparin on transforming growth factor-β1 and extracellular matrix components in the glomeruli of diabetic rats

The effects of heparin on the expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and two extracellular matrix components laminin (LN) and fibronectin (FN) in diabetic rat glomeruli were investigated. Twenty-six rats were randomly divided into control group (C,n=8), diabetic group (D,n=9), and diabetes+heparin group (DH,n=9). After 8-week therapy of heparin (200 U once daily by abdominal injection), TGF-β1, LN and FN expression in glomeruli was detected by immunohistochemical method. The results showed that the expression levels of TGF-β1, LN and FN were higher in group D than in group C. It was found that heparin could reduce 24-h urinary albumin excretion and inhibit overexpression of TGF-β1, LN and FN in glomeruli of diabetic rats. It suggested that the inhibitory effect of heparin on diabetic glomerular sclerosis was at least partly related with the inhibition of TGF-β1 expression.