ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protective effects of Wnt-7a protein on renal interstitial fibrosis in mice of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)model.Methods Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups:sham-operation group,the UUO model group and Wnt-7a treatment group.The body weight of mice was measured everyday.All the mice were sacrificed at thc seventh day after the operation.The left kidney was taken for histology evaluation and molecular biology assay.Masson's stain was performed as a main indicator of interstitial fibrosis.The expression of vimentin,α-smooth muscle actin,and E-adherin in renal tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry staining and the expression of α-smooth muscle actin and E-cadhe(nn) in renal tissue was detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with sham-operation group,body weight of the (,)odel group was significantly lower (P＜0.05),and the relative area of interstitial fibrosis was significantly larger (P＜0.05).Furthermore,the expression of vimentin and α-SMA was significantly up-regulated (P＜0.05),and the expression of E-cadherin was significantly down-regulated (P＜0.05).Compared with model group,all the above-mentioned abnormalities were restored to some extent and showed significant differences (P＜0.05) in Wnt-7a treatment group.Conclusion Wnt-7a protein can decrease the interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting epithelial to mesenchymal transition in UUO mice.