Saxagliptin attenuates glomerular podocyte injury by increasing the expression of renal nephrin and podocin in type 2 diabetic rats.AIMS
 To observe the effects of saxagliptin on the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase 38 (p38MAPK), nephrin and podocin in renal tissue in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of its renal protection.


 Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study and divided into four different groups: normal controls (Group NC), DM controls (Group DM), DM + glibenclamide (Group Su) and DM + saxagliptin (Group Sa).  Saxagliptin can reduce urinary albumin excretion and exert renal protective effect, especially on podocytes in T2DM rats. 
Saxagliptin