title: Brazilian embauba (Cecropia pachystachya) extract reduces renal lesions in 5/6 nephrectomized rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cecropia pachystachya (CP) is a plant rich in polyphenols which inhibits the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) in vitro. Angiotensin II (AII) has an important role in the renal lesion provoked by 5/6 nephrectomy (NE). This study evaluated the CP extract effect on renal lesions provoked by 5/6 NE.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male Wistar rats submitted to 5/6 NE were treated or not treated with CP extract and followed for 90 days. Systemic blood pressure (SBP), albuminuria, renal functional and structural parameters, ACE activity, urinary levels of monocyte chemoattrant protein-1 (MCP-1) and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Albuminuria and hypertension were less intense in the treated (NE+CP) group compared to the untreated (NE) group. CP extract treatment reduced the fall in glomerular filtration rate observed in NE rats. Glomerulosclerosis, tubulointerstitial lesions, increase of macrophages and AII positive cells in the renal cortex, as well as increases in renal ACE activity, urinary levels of MCP-1 and TGF-β were attenuated in NE rats by CP treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The treatment with CP extract reduced the SBP and functional and structural renal changes in 5/6 NE rats. These effects were associated with decreased AII expression, ACE activity and inflammation in the renal cortex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: do C Maquiaveli
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Edson R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Heloísa D C
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Francescato
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Roberto S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Cleonice G A
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Dulce E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Casarini
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Federal University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Fernanda A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Ronchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil tmcoimbr@fmrp.usp.br.
authors.forename: Terezila M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Coimbra
mesh_terms: D000419:Albuminuria / Q000473:pathology / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects; D001938:Brazil; D035702:Cecropia Plant / Q000737:chemistry*; D018932:Chemokine CCL2 / Q000652:urine; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000652:urine
chemical_list: C491766:Ccl2 protein, rat; D018932:Chemokine CCL2; D010936:Plant Extracts; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta
keywords: Cecropia pachystachya; angiotensin II; inflammation; renal failure