Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of rosuvastatin on contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in diabetic nephropathy rats.

Methods Male SD rats, using a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) to create a diabetic nephropathy model. The model rats were randomly grouped into diabetic nephropathy group, contrast group and the rosuvastatin+ contrast group, 10 ineach group. Intravenous injection of iopromide (3500 u/kg) given 72 hours later, the line serum creatinine testing, to determine the CIN formation. The serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine, nitric oxide, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels were analysed. Urine samples were taken to measure the albumin/urinary creatinine ratio. Kidneys were sectioned and stained with hematoxylin/eosin and Masson’s trichrome. Immunohistochemical analysis of the renal tissue was performed to detect macrophage infiltration of the glomeruli.

Results The contrast group had a significantly reduced nitric oxide level and an increased interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha level, albumin/urinary creatinine ratio and number of macrophages in the renal glomeruli. Rosuvastatin increased the nitric oxide level and reduced the interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor alpha levels, glomerular macrophage number and albumin/urinary creatinine ratio in the contrast +rosuvastatin group.

Conclusions Rosuvastatin treatment reduced glomerular damage due to improvement in the inflammatory pattern independent of serum lipid level. These effects may lead to improvements in the treatment of CIN.