低剂量的TGF-β1对早期糖尿病肾病模型的保护作用的研究

o determine whether low-dose TGF-β1 and/or IL-6-receptorα monoclonal antibody (anti-IL-6Rα) can be used to delay renal damage and preserve renal function by rebalancing regulatory T (Treg)/Th17 cells during the course of early diabetic nephropathy (DN) induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice by multiple STZ injection. Low-dose TGF-β1 (0.1 μg/mouse/week) and/or anti-IL-6Rα (10 μg/mouse/week) were administered 6 dozes after STZ injection. After 40 days of diabetes onset, metabolic indices, renal structure, Treg/Th17 balance, and inflammatory cytokines' mRNA copies were assessed. Low-dose TGF-β1, instead of causing renal damage, decreased blood glucose, ameliorated kidney hypertrophy, and induced Treg/Th17 balance in early DN. Interestingly, low-dose TGF-β1 + anti-IL-6Rα or anti-IL-6Rα alone did not attenuate DN. This study provides experimental evidence of the protective effects of low-dose TGF-β1 in improving metabolic disorder and slowing renal damage in early DN.