Abstract: Objective To observe the expression of Bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7) in renal tubular epithelial cells could be influenced by protein kinase Cα (PKCα) under diabetes mellitus(DM) and high-glucose cultivation. Methods Rats were randomly divided into control group(control) and diabetic group(DM). Rats were sacrificed after 12 weeks. primarily cultured renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) were divided into four groups: control group (control), high glucose group (HG), HG+PKCα specific inhibitor G?6976 1μmol/L (HG+G?6976) group and hyperosmosis group (HM). Immunohistochemical and Immunocytochemical analysis were used to examine the protein expression levels of BMP-7, PKCα, angiotensin II and fibronectin; RT-PCR was used to examine the mRNA levels of BMP-7, PKCα and fibronectin. Results In normal glucose group, BMP-7 protein and mRNA highly expressed in renal tubular epithelial cell in rat. The expression of BMP-7 protein and mRNA were down-regulated remarkably in diabetic rats or high glucose group compared control group(P＜0.05). PKCα, angiotensin II and fibronectin were highly expressed compared control group(P＜0.05). BMP-7 was negatively associated with PKCα. Compared with HG group, BMP-7 expression had significantly increased but angiotensin II and fibronectin expression decreased in HG+G?6976 group(P＜0.05). Conclusions PKCα could involve in the regulation of BMP-7 expression under high glucose in renal tubular epithelial cell in rat.

Key words: Bone morphogenetic protein-7, Protein kinase Cα, Renal tubular epithelial cells, Hyperglycemia