Ghrelin attenuates renal fibrosis and apoptosis of obstructive nephropathy / 实用医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of ghrelin in a rat model of renal fibrosis. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups , including sham operation +saline or brain gut peptide treatment group , model + saline or brain gut peptide treatment group. Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) was established by left ureteral ligation. 7 days and 14 days after operation, the rats were sacrificed , while the kidney tissue of obstruction side was harvested for pathlogical changes through Masson coloration. Expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-β1) and phosphorylated Smad3 (p-Smad3) in renal tissues were analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Expression of α-SMA and TGF-β1 mRNA was detected by real-time-PCR. Apoptosis kidneys cells were marked with TUNEL. Results Ghrelin inhibited renal fibrosis by reducing the production of collagen , restraining extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and decreasing the expression of α-SMA. Meanwhile, ghrelin inhibited the accumulation of myofibroblasts by blocking the transforming growth factor-β1/Smad3 (TGF-β1/Smad3) signaling pathway. Moreover, ghrelin could attenuate renal tubular cell apoptosis induced by UUO injury. Conclusion Ghrelin can reduce renal fibrosis and renal cell apoptosis induced by UUO , demonstrating that ghrelin is a potent antifibrotic agent that may have therapeutic potential for patients with obstructive nephropathy.