Effect of Irbesartan on Chemerin in the Renal Tissues of Diabetic Rats.

BACKGROUND/AIMS Chemerin was introduced as a novel adipokine that plays a crucial role in insulin signaling and diabetic nephropathy. Serum chemerin levels are significantly elevated in type 2 diabetes patients with macroalbuminuria. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We conducted a preliminary investigation of the effects of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on chemerin expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. METHODS Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were randomized into control, diabetic, and irbesartan-treated groups. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to detect mRNA expression of chemerin, angiotensin II type 1a receptor (AT1a), angiotensin II type 1b receptor (AT1b) and angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2). Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect chemerin in renal tissues. RESULTS Expression levels of chemerin in renal tissues were significantly elevated in the diabetic group compared to the control group. In the irbesartan-treated group, chemerin expression levels and RAS-related protein levels (i.e. AT1a and AT1b) were markedly decreased compared to the diabetic group. Irbesartan treatment reduced chemerin overexpression and RAS-related protein levels in diabetic rats (i.e. AT1a and AT1b). CONCLUSION Irbesartan may inhibit intrarenal RAS in diabetic rats, which may affect the expression of chemerin in the kidneys; however, the precise underlying mechanism remains to be determined.