[Preventive and therapeutic effects of astragalus and angelica mixture on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the preventive and therapeutic effects of Astragalus and Angelica mixture A&A on renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction UUO in rats and their mechanisms.


METHODS
UUO rats were randomly divided into Sham, UUO, A&A or ACEI groups. A&A, ACEI or the same amount of water was administered by gavage beginning 24 hours before UUO preparation and continued through ten days after UUO. Sera and the kidney tissues were collected from each group on the tenth day. Scr and BUN were measured. Trichrome staining, measurement of tubulo interstitial damage index and immunohistochemical studies localizing alpha-smooth muscle actin alpha-SMA , TGF-beta1, fibronectin FN , laminin LN were carried out.


RESULTS
In UUO rats, the tubular-interstitial damage index, the expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN were all increased compared with those of Sham group. The tubulo interstitial damage index had positive correlation with expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN. A&A significantly ameliorated deterioration of renal function, tubulo interstitial damage index and inhibited the over-expressions of alpha-SMA, TGF-beta1, FN and LN in UUO rats. These anti-fibrotic effects were similar to those affected by ACEI.


CONCLUSIONS
In renal interstitial fibrosis-induced UUO rats, A&A retard the progression of renal fibrosis and renal function deterioration by inhibiting myofibroblasts and suppressing TGF-beta1 expression, which may consequently result in a decreased production of extracellular matrix.
Zhao
Jian-rong
JR
Department of Nephrology, Peking University First Hospital; Peking University Institute of Nephrology, Beijing 100034, China.
Qu
Lei
L
Li
Xiao-mei
XM
D029969:Angelica; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D027883:Astragalus Plant; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D009400:Nephrosclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000188:drug therapy*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta