Abstract: Objective To explore the effect of NLRP3 inflammasome on diabetic nephropathy renal interstitial inflammation. Methods From Zhejiang provincial people's hospital type 2 diabetic nephropathy,50 patients were selected as diabetic nephropathy group,kidney hamartoma surgery 50 patients as control group.The clinical data,urinary IL-18 and IL-1β levels,renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1β expression were compared in two groups.The correlation between diabetic nephropathy renal interstitial inflammation and tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1β expression,and the correlation between diabetic nephropathy renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4 immunohistochemical expression score and urine IL-18,IL-1β levels were analyzed. Results The urinary protein excretion,fasting blood glucose,triglycerides,total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein in diabetic nephropathy group were higher than that of control group (P<0.05).The urine IL-18 and urine IL-1β levels of diabetic nephropathy were higher than that of control group (P<0.05).The renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1β expression of diabetic nephropathy group were high,the renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1β expression of diabetic nephropathy group were low expression or not expression.The renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1βexpression scores of diabetic nephropathy group were significantly higher than that of control group (P<0.05).Diabetic nephropathy renal interstitial inflammation was positively correlated with tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4,IL-18 and IL-1β expression (P<0.05).Diabetic nephropathy renal tubular epithelial cells NLRP3,P2X4 immunohistochemical expression score were positively correlated with urine IL-18,IL-1β levels (P<0.05). Conclusion P2X4 possibly activates NLRP3 inflammatory body,regulate inflammatory cytokines,and causes diabetic nephropathy renal interstitial inflammation.