Effects of Renin-angiotensin System Blockade on Tubulointerstitial Lesions in Adriamycin-induced Nephropathy / 대한신장학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Effects of renin-angiotensin system blockade on tubulointerstitial lesions were examined in adriamycin-induced nephropathy. METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used. The three experimental groups were intravenously injected with adriamycin (2 mg/kg). After 6 weeks, rats showing heavy proteinuria were orally treated with either cilazapril 1 mg/kg/day (ACEi group, n=7) or losartan 10 mg/kg/day (ARB group, n=7) during the period of additional 6 weeks. The other group was maintained without any drugs (ADR group, n=6). The control group was without adriamycin treatment and maintained during the 12 weeks (Control, n=5). RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure was increased following the adriamycin treatment, which was normalized by treatment with cilazapril or losartan. Accordingly, cilazapril and losartan normalized the 24-h urine protein/creatinine ratio, in association with morphologic improvement of tubulointerstitial lesions. The expression of laminin beta1 was not altered in any experimental groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that angiotensin II plays an important role in tubulointerstitial lesions in adriamycin-induced nephropathy.