Effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells transplantation on the expression of transforming growth factor beta 1 and connective tissue growth factor in chronic renal damage rats

Dewei ZHANG; Hongguang ZHENG

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

The stem cell transplantation achieved progress in treating acute kidney injury. However, cell transplantation in treating chronic renal damage, as well as the protection mechanism, remains poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE:

To observe the changes of urine protein and renal function, as well as the effects of bone marrow mononuclear cells on expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in chronic renal damage rats.DESIGN, TIME AND

SETTING:

The randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Experimental Animal Center of General Hospital of Shenyang Military Command from May to October 2008.MATERIALS Totally 30 female SD rats, with SPF grade, were randomly divided into the control, model and cell transplantation groups, with 10 animals in each group. Additional 10 SD rats were used to prepare bone marrow mononuclear cells.

METHODS:

Chronic renal damage models were prepared by modified hepatic resection, and 1.0 mL mononuclear cells were injected at 10 weeks after model preparation, with 1×10~8 cells per animal. Rats in the model group were injected same volume of physiological saline.MAIN OUTCOME

MEASURES:

The 24 hour urinary protein excretion quantity and renal function changes, histopathological change of renal tissues, as well as the expression of TGF-β1 and CTGF.protein excretion, urea nitrogen and creatinine levels (P < 0.01), which especially greater in the model group (P < 0.01 or P <expressions of TGF-β1 and CTGF were notably enhanced in the model and cell transplantation groups (P < 0.01), but the enhancement extent was larger in the model group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION:

Bone marrow mononuclear cells can decrease levels of urine protein excretion, blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, inhabit the TGF-β1 and CTGF expression, relief pathological changes, eventually, protect the kidney of subtotally nephrectomized rats.