ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the expressions of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), aquaporin (AQP) and osteopontin (OPN) in renal injury induced by fluorosis in rats.Methods:According to body weight (80 - 100 g), forty-eight SD rats were divided into control group (normal saline), low fluoride group (10 mg/kg) and high fluoride group (20 mg/kg) by random number table, 16 rats in each group (half males and half females). The rats were exposed to fluoride by intraperitoneal injection of sodium fluoride. After the rats were treated with fluoride for 12 weeks, the rats were killed by femoral artery bloodletting and the renal tissue was taken. The contents of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in serum of rats with fluorosis were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expressions of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in renal tissue of rats with fluorosis were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunocytochemistry.Results:The serum levels of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in high fluoride group [(26.42 ± 6.09), (378.60 ± 36.84) μg/L, (603.45 ± 64.32) pg/ml] were higher than those in control group [(2.41 ± 0.42), (157.41 ± 15.26) μg/L, (182.45 ± 30.63) pg/ml] and low fluoride group [(13.15 ± 3.26), (245.65 ± 23.21) μg/L, (359.47 ± 55.26) pg/ml, P < 0.05]. The levels of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in low fluoride group were higher than those in control group ( P < 0.05). The expressions of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN mRNA in high fluoride group were higher than those in control group and low fluoride group ( P < 0.05), and the expressions of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN mRNA in low fluoride group were higher than those in control group ( P < 0.05). The positive expression scores of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in high fluoride group were higher than those in control group and low fluoride group ( P < 0.05), and the positive expression scores of TGF-β1, AQP and OPN in low fluoride group were higher than those in control group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:TGF-β1, AQP and OPN are highly expressed in the renal tissue of rats with fluorosis, which can be used as indicators to judge the damage of renal aggregation system caused by fluorosis.