Relationship of up-regulated thrombospondin 1 expression with renal interstitial fibrosis and peritubular capillary loss in chronic aristolochic acid nephropathy / 中华肾脏病杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the relationship of up-regulated thrombospondin 1 (TSP-1) expression with renal interstitial fibrosis and peritubular capillary loss in chronic aristolochic acid nephropathy(CAAN). Methods Thirty-six male SD rats were randomly divided into two groups, 18 in each one. CAAN rats received 20 mg?kg-1?d-1 aristolochic acid (AA) contained in ethanol extract of Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom by gavage for 5 days in the 1st week, and after a break of 9 days, then 15 mg?kg-1?d-1 AA for 7 days in every other week up to the 12th week. Control group rats (Con) only received tap water by gavage as above. At the end of the 4th, 8th and 12th week, 6 rats in each group were sacrificed. Immunohistochemical staining was performed in rat renal tissue sections to examine the expression of TSP-1, transforming growth factor-?1 (TGF-?1), aminopeptidase P(APP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and type I collagen (Col I ). Results Compared with Con, the expression levels of interstitial TSP-1, tubular TGF-P1 and interstitial Col I were all up-regulated in CAAN rats (all P