Abstract
Aim:
Irbesartan, a new antagonist of the type 1 angiotensin II receptor, has been proven to be renal protective in both diabetic and non-diabetic nephropathy, but its exact mechanism is still uncertain. Here we investigated the influence of irbesartan on the expression of the integrin-linked kinase (ILK) and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO).
Methods:
The mice were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation (C, n=20), UUO (n=40), and UUO with irbesartan treatment (UUO+irbesartan, n=40). Irbesartan was given at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight per day by gavage. The experimental animals in the control group received the same volume of vehicle (0.9% saline solution). The animals were sacrificed at d 1, 3, 7, and 14, respectively, after the surgery.
Results:
The expression of the ILK at mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased in the UUO group 1 d after the surgery, which was significantly decreased by treatment with irbesartan (P < 0.01, respectively). The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly increased, while E-cadherin was decreased in mice with UUO at d 3 after the surgery. Treatment with irbesartan significantly abrogated such effects (P< 0.01). The immunohistochemistry analysis indicated that the protein expression of the ILK was positively correlated with α-SMA, but negatively with E-cadherin.
Conclusion:
These results suggested that irbesartan attenuated renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis in UUO mice, which may be related to the inhibition of ILK expression, subsequently preventing the tubular EMT.
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Liu, Bc., Xia, Hl., Wu, Jn. et al. Influence of irbesartan on expression of ILK and its relationship with epithelial-mesenchymal transition in mice with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Acta Pharmacol Sin 28, 1810–1818 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00649.x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-7254.2007.00649.x
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