ObjectiveThis work aims to elucidate the effect and the regulatory mechanisms of miR-205-5p on podocyte injury and oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy.MethodsA mouse model of diabetic nephropathy was established. Fasting blood glucose, 24 hours urinary albumin, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen of mice were detected. H&E and Tunel staining of mice renal tissues were executed to detect histological changes and apoptosis. A cell model of diabetic nephropathy was constructed by inducing mouse podocytes with high glucose. The function of miR-205-5p on viability, apoptosis, and levels of malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the diabetic nephropathy cell model was evaluated by CCK-8 assay, Tunel staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Binding of miR-205-5p and vascular endothelial growth factor A was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. Rescue experiment was implemented on the diabetic nephropathy cell model to research whether miR-205-5p regulated diabetic nephropathy development by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor A. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot were for the detection of gene expression.ResultsThe increased fasting blood glucose, 24†hours urinary albumin, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, the intensified apoptosis and injury, and the down-regulated miR-205-5p were observed in renal tissues. miR-205-5p relieved podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy, as it increased cell viability, decreased cell apoptosis, reduced malondialdehyde, and elevated superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the diabetic nephropathy cell model. Vascular endothelial growth factor A was up-regulated in renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy mice, and directly suppressed by miR-205-5p. Vascular endothelial growth factor A up-regulation abolished the protection of miR-205-5p on the diabetic nephropathy cell model.ConclusionsmiR-205-5p might relieve podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy by suppressing Vascular endothelial growth factor A. It might be a promising target for diabetic nephropathy treatment.