ABSTRACT
AIM: To understand the expression of low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein (LRP) in tubulointerstitial fibrosis of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) rats. METHODS: The localization of LRP within kidneys were assessed by immunohistochemical staining, the protein level of LRP and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in kidney were analysised by Western blot. RESULTS: The location of LRP positive-staining and the protein level of LRP were in the same tendency with CTGF, the level of LRP had strong correlationship with the level of CTGF (r=0.786, P
ABSTRACT
AIM: To observe the effect of (IFN-?1b) on morphology and the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in hepatic stellate cells (HSC). METHODS: HSC were cultured in vitro, and were treated with (IFN-?1b) and TGF-?_1. The changes of HSC on morphology were observed, and the expression of CTGF in HSC was assessed using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS: Phenomenon of apoptosis were observed in HSC treated with IFN-?1b. The expression of CTGF in HSC was decreased after treatment with (IFN-?1b) in control and TGF-?1-triggered groups. CONCLUSION: (IFN-?1b) is able to induce the apoptosis and suppress the expression of CTGF in HSC.
ABSTRACT
AIM: To detect the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), transforming growth factor-?_1 (TGF-?_1) and ?-smooth muscle actin (?-SMA) in rat unilateral ureteral obstructive (UUO) nephropathy animal model, and to observe the kinetic changes at different stages of firosis. METHODS: Male SD rats were subjected to either left ureteral ligation or sham operation, then killed at 3, 7, 14, 21 or 28 days after UUO or sham operation (n=6 at each time point). HE, Masson or PAS staining were applied to the renal tissue sections. The extent of tubulointerstitial injury was determined by Banff classification. RESULTS: The extent of tubulinterstitial fibrosis became serious with the time of obstruction. Tubules were mostly atropic and replaced by proliferative fibrous tissue at day 28. The expression of CTGF and ?-SMA were consistent with the damage of tubulointerstitial. The positive correlation among CTGF or ?-SMA and the tubulointerstitial injury scores were significant. The expression of TGF-?_1 came to peak at day 7 to 14, and gradually decreased at day 21 and 28. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that the expression of CTGF may be upregulated by TGF-? in UUO rats, and CTGF may be involved in tubulointerstitial fibrosis through the development of myofibroblasts.
ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effect and its mechanism of “JinSanE” on liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Methods Thirty-six Wistar rats were divided into three groups: healthy controls, CCl4 induced cirrhotic rats, and CCl4 induced cirrhotic rats treated with “JinSanE”, which was begun at the fourth week after exposure to CCl4. “JinSanE” was given once a day. Rats were killed after the administration of “JinSanE” for 4 weeks. The anti-fibrosis effect was determined by the expressions of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and transforming growth factor-? 1 (TGF-? 1) in liver tissue. The CTGF and TGF-? 1 mRNA expressions were detected by RT-PCR, CTGF and TGF-? 1 were assessed after immunohistochemistry staining. The serum level of hyaluronic acid (HA) was determined by RIA, and the liver histopathology was observed with light and electronic microscopy. Results Compared with the CCl4 induced cirrhotic rats, the expressions of TGF-? 1 and CTGF were decreased in the liver of the rats which were given “JinSanE” (P