[Effect of losartan on the expressions of TGF-beta1, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in the remnant renal tissues of 5/6 nephrectomized rats].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the mechanism of losartan treating glomerulosclerosis and to observe the effect of losartan on the expressions of TGF-beta1, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 in the renal tissues of 5/6 nephrectomized rats.


METHODS
Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a 5/6 nephrectomized model group, and a losartan treated group. The rats in the model group and the losartan treated group were performed 5/6 nephrectomy by the method with 2 procedures. Twelve weeks after of the operation, all rats were killed. The 24-hour urinary protein, serum creatinine, and urea nitrogen were detected. Pathological changes of the renal tissues were observed by HE and Masson staining, and the expressions of TGF-beta1, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 were detected by immunohistochemical staining.


RESULTS
The 24-hour urinary protein, serum creatinine, urea nitrogen, and the relative area of collagen in the renal tissues of the rats in the model group significantly increased (P<0.01), and losartan could reduce these indexes. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and p-Smad2/3 were just at a low level in the renal tissues of the rats in the sham-operated group, and were strongly positive in the model group; but losartan could decrease the expressions of TGF-beta1 and p-Smad2/3 (P<0.01). The expression of Smad7 in the model group was fewer than that in the sham-operated group (P<0.01), but losartan could improve the expression of Smad7 (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Losartan may implement its anti-glomerulosclerosis by affecting TGF-beta1, p-Smad2/3, and Smad7 of TGF-beta/Smads pathway of the renal tissues of 5/6 nephrectomized rats.
Ning
Wang-bin
WB
Department of Nephrology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410008, China.
Hu
Jing
J
Tao
Li-jian
LJ
Liu
Chun-yan
CY
Sun
Jian
J
Xiao
Yun
Y
Jia
Ai-jun
AJ
D000818:Animals; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000379:methods; D051381:Rats; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects; D051899:Smad2 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051900:Smad3 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051906:Smad7 Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism*
D051899:Smad2 Protein; C497784:Smad2 protein, rat; D051900:Smad3 Protein; C497787:Smad3 protein, rat; D051906:Smad7 Protein; C497808:Smad7 protein, rat; C508962:Tgfb1 protein, rat; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D019808:Losartan