Metformin inhibits diabetes induced ferroptosis in renal proximal tubular epithelial cells by up-regulating NRF2 expression

METHODS: 8-week-old DBA2/J male mice were divided into normal control group, Met group, DM group and DM+Met group. HK-2 cells were divided into four groups: normal glucose group, Met group, high glucose group (30 mmmol/L) and HG + Met group.

The changes of Scr, BUN ,ROS, the protein and mRNA expression levels of Nrf2, GPX4 and FTH-1 were measured in the kidney of mice or HK-2 cells. The contents of MDA, Fe2+ and GSH were also detected in renal tissues or the HK-2cells. RESULTS: Compared with the DM group, the levels of BUN, Scr and the score of renal pathological injury scores were significantly reduced and the protein expressions of Nrf2, GPX4 and FTH-1 were significantly increased in the kidney tissue of diabetes mice treated with metformin(all p＜0.05) .