ddY mice were fed a standard diet containing 22% protein until 40 weeks of age. Marked deposition of IgA and C3 in glomeruli and glomerular expansion were observed in ddY mice after 40 weeks of age. These ddY mice

were divided into two diet groups: low protein (6%) and high protein (50%). Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Library supplier The mice of both groups were sacrificed at 70 weeks of age. Light-microscopic and immunofluorescence studies were performed. At each time after 50 weeks of age, levels of urinary protein excretion in the low-protein diet mice were significantly decreased compared with those in the high-protein diet mice (P < 0.01). Glomerular enlargement and mesangial expansion were observed in high-protein diet ddY mice. These findings were improved in the low-protein diet ddY mice. Intensities of IgA, IgG, IgM and C3 in glomeruli of Smoothened Agonist ic50 the low-protein diet ddY mice were significantly lower than those in the high-protein ddY mice. It appears that dietary protein restriction is useful for the prevention of glomerular injuries, even when such therapy is initiated after the appearance of IgA nephropathy in ddY mice. Clinical effects of dilazep hydrochloride (dilazep), an antiplatelet drug, on the treatment of proteinuria in patients with IgA nephropathy were

reported mainly from Japan.17 Hayashi et al.18 determined the clinical and immunopathological effects of dilazep on IgA nephropathy of ddY mice. Group I (early-treatment group) was orally treated with 300 mg/kg bodyweight of dilazep from 12 weeks of age until 60 weeks of age, and group II (late-treatment group) Methane monooxygenase was also treated with

the same dose of this drug from 20 weeks of age until 60 weeks of age. Groups III (control group) received drinking water. Levels of urinary protein excretion in groups I and II were significantly lower than those in group III (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). In an immunofluorescence study, distribution and intensity of IgA and C3 depositions in glomeruli of groups I and II were significantly decreased compared with those in group III. In light microscopy, expansion of glomerular mesangial areas and the average number of intraglomerular cells in groups I and II were markedly decreased compared with those in group III. It appears that treatment with dilazep may improve clinical and immunopathological findings in IgA nephropathy of ddY mice. It is generally considered that AngII stimulates several cytokines such as platelet-derived growth factor, transforming growth factor and/or vascular endothelial growth factor, and then enhances glomerular mesangial cell enlargement and proliferation, and increased production of mesangial matrices. The AT1 receptor subtype is responsible for the well-known effects of AngII such as vasoconstriction, aldosterone and adrenalin release, water intake and selectivity for the AT1 receptor. Lai et al. and Chan et al. reported mesangial and tubular expressions of AngII receptors and their regulation in IgA nephropathy.19,20 Suzuki et al.