EFFECT OF KIDNEY STEM CELLS ON BIOCHEMICAL ANALAYSIS AND SMAD2/3 PHOSPHORYLATION IN RATS WITH DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

Introduction: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were proposed as a critical therapeutic candidate in diabetic nephropathy (DN). Renal stem cells as a source for repairing are controversial. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of kidney rat stem cells on DN. Materials and methods: After separation of renal stem cells from rat kidney, the surface Stem cell markers were assessed by flow cytometry analysis. To establish the diabetic nephropathy rat model STZ(60mg/kg) was used. The cells were injected to experimental groups via tail vein (2×106cells/rat). Biochemical and histological parameters were evaluated in order to determining the impact of stem cells on kidney structure. Phosphorylation of Smad2/3 two weeks after induction of early diabetic nephropathy was evaluated by using standard western blotting.Result: The cells significantly reduced blood nitrogen (BUN), serum creatinine (Scr) and 24 urinary proteins. The phosphorylation of smad2 and smad3 significantly down-regulated. PAS staining showed in the presence of adult kidney stem cells histopathological changes were improved.Conclusion: Adult kidney stem cells may be a candidate for treatment of early DN to improve the kidney function and regenerating kidney tissues in DN rats