[Study on protective effects and its mechanism of leflunomide on renal tissue in rat IgA nephropathy model].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the effects of leflunomide on renal pathology and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), monocyte chemotaxis peptide 1 (MCP-1) in renal tissue of experimental IgA nephropathy in rat.


METHODS
IgA nephropathy model was reproduced in rats. They were randomly divided into leflunomide group, prednisone group, nephropathy control group, and normal control group. The deposition of immunocomplex in renal tissue and degree of mesangial matrix hyperplasia in mesangial region were detected by immunofluorescence and light microscope; the level of expression of gene and protein of TGF-beta1 and MCP-1 in renal tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.


RESULTS
Compared with model group, leflunomide lessened the deposit of immunocomplex in renal tissue, alleviated the hyperplasia of mesangial matrix (all P<0.01). Leflunomide could also inhibit the expression of TGF-beta1, MCP-1 at the level of gene and protein in renal tissue (P<0.05 or P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Leflunomide can decrease the deposit of immunocomplex, down regulate the expression of TGF-beta1, MCP-1 in kidney, diminish local inflammatory reaction, relieve hyperplasia of mesangial matrix, related the process of nephrotic fibrosis, and protect renal function.
Tang
Ying
Y
Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China.
Lou
Tan-Qi
TQ
Wang
Cheng
C
Peng
Hui
H
Liu
Xun
X
Tang
Hua
H
D000818:Animals; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005355:Fibrosis; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D000077339:Leflunomide; D008297:Male; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism
D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D007555:Isoxazoles; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D000077339:Leflunomide