The steady state levels of mRNA encoding for metalloproteinase (MMP)-l -2, -3, and -9 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 were examined in glomeruli at 4,12, and 24 weeks after the injection of streptozocin (STZ) in rats. The mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 decreased with age in STZ-induced diabetes. At 24 weeks after STZ injection, mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 fell to 40% (p < 0.01) and 20% (p < 0.01), respectively, in the glomeruli of diabetic rats when compared with control rats. In contrast, mRNA levels for TIMP-1 increased significantly with age in the diabetic glomeruli and reached an 8-fold (p < 0.01) increase at 24 weeks after STZ injection. mRNA levels for MMP-2 were not altered in glomeruli from diabetic and control rats throughout the experimental period, whereas those for MMP-9 were not detected in glomeruli from either group of rats. Insulin treatment partially ameliorated the decrease in mRNA levels for MMP-1 and MMP-3 and the increase in those for TIMP-1 in the glomeruli of diabetic rats. These data indicate that abnormal gene regulation of MMPs and TIMP-1 in the glomeruli of diabetic rats may contribute to the progression of glomerular lesions and that hyperglycemia or insulin deficiency may be associated with abnormal MMPs and TIMP-1 gene regulation.