Protective role of cannabinoid receptor type 2 in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CB2) has protective effects in chronic degenerative diseases. Our aim was to assess the potential relevance of the CB2 receptor in both human and experimental diabetic nephropathy (DN).

Research design and methods

CB2 expression was studied in kidney biopsies from patients with advanced DN, in early experimental diabetes, and in cultured podocytes. Levels of endocannabinoids and related enzymes were measured in the renal cortex from diabetic mice. To assess the functional role of CB2, streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were treated for 14 weeks with AM1241, a selective CB2 agonist. In these animals, we studied albuminuria, renal function, expression of podocyte proteins (nephrin and zonula occludens-1), and markers of both fibrosi

SUBMITTER: Barutta F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3161308 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature