title: Attenuation of Immune-Mediated Renal Injury by Telmisartan, an Angiotensin Receptor Blocker and a Selective PPAR-γ Activator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM) nephritis is characterized by activation of the renin-angiotensin system. This study aimed to determine the question of whether a temporary angiotensin II blockade at the initial stage of anti-GBM nephritis is able to attenuate the disease as well as differences in renoprotection among angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) with distinct peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ-modulating activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  C57BL/6J mice were immunized with rabbit IgG, followed by intravenous injection of rabbit anti-mouse antibodies. Mice were then treated with telmisartan, losartan, and telmisartan + GW9662 (a PPAR-γ antagonist) for 5 days, or hydralazine for 9 days. On days 8 and 13, mice were sacrificed to obtain tissues for histological analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The temporary administration of telmisartan significantly suppressed glomerular damage compared to hydralazine. Losartan showed a similar effect but was less effective. Co-administration of GW9662 attenuated the renoprotective effect of telmisartan, almost to levels observed with losartan. In particular, it limited the decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells and preservation of capillaries in the glomeruli induced by telmisartan.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Temporary angiotensin II blockade at the initial stage of anti-GBM disease dramatically inhibited its progression. In addition to a class effect of ARBs, telmisartan modified inflammation and endothelial damage in the kidney through its PPAR-γ-agonistic action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephrology, Chiba University Hospital, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Hamano
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okude
authors.forename: Osamu
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Yokosuka
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogawa