[Effects of cilazapril on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in diabetic rat glomeruli].

Objective: To assess the effect of cilazapril, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), on the protection against diabetic nephropathy and on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) in diabetic rat glomeruli.

Methods: The rat model of diabetes mellitus (DM) was produced by injection of streptozocin (STZ). After the treatment with cilazapril [1 mg/(kg.d)] for 2 weeks and 8 weeks, glomerular hypertrophy, renal function and 24 h urinary protein count were measured, and the expression of VEGF and ICAM-1 were investigated by immunohistochemical technique and Mias-2000 pathology computer image analyzer in diabetic rat glomeruli.

Results: At 2 weeks, kidney weight/body weight (KW/BW), creatinin clearance rate (CCr) and 24 hours urine protein count increased significantly in DM model group, compared with control (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, by immunohistochemistry, increased levels of glomerular VEGF and ICAM-1 were shown and their peaks were seen at 8 weeks (P < 0.01). Cilazapril could reduce KW/BW, CCr and 24 hours urine protein count and significantly suppress the overexpression of VEGF and ICAM-1 in cilazapril treatment group after 8 weeks, compared with the DM model group(P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Cilazapril can suppress the overproduction of two cytokines, VEGF and ICAM-1, thus preventing the progression of diabetic nephropathy.