Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of valsartan on activation of Notch pathway and podocyte loss.Methods Apoptosis and podocyte detachment of glomeruli were measured after diabetic mice were treated with valsartan.The levels of Notch intracellular domain 1 (NICD1),Hes1,Hey1,Bax,Bcl-2 and cleaved caspase-3 were determined by Western blot.Real-time PCR was used to evaluate Hes1 and Hey1 mRNA expression.Results Valsartan suppressed cell apoptosis and podocyte detachment of glomeruli in diabetic mice.Valsartan also inhibited overexpression of NICD1,Hes1,Hey1,Bax and cleaved caspase-3,and increased Bcl-2 level in glomerular tissues of diabetic mice (P<0.05).Conclusion Valsartan inhibits the activation of Notch pathway in glomerular tissues of diabetic mice,also inhibits podocyte apoptosis and detachment.

Key words: diabetic nephropathies, podocytes, kidney glomerulus