Decreased expression of transforming growth factor-β1 and α-smooth muscle actin contributes to the protection of lotensin against chronic renal failure in rats

Figures & data

Table 1. Pathological parameters in the sham, 5/6 nx and lotensin groups.

	Red blood cells (×10^9/L)	Hemoglobin (g L^−1)	Plasma albumin (g L^−1)	Blood urea nitrogen (mmol L^−1)	Serum creatinine (µmol L^−1)		UPE (mg d^−1)
Sham	4.58 ± 0.46	120 ± 11	34.2 ± 2.6	12.4 ± 3.2		38.5 ± 3.3	11.5 ± 2.8
5/6 Nx	3.33 ± 0.17*	96.7 ± 7.5*	26.7 ± 2.5*	16.3 ± 3.4*		72.1 ± 7.8*	21.5 ± 3.5*
Lotensin	3.46 ± 0.52	132.0 ± 1.84^#	29.6 ± 3.1^#	14.9 ± 2.5		60.3 ± 6.2^#	14.1 ± 2.4^#

Data were expressed as means ± SEM. *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < .05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10); UPE, urinary protein excretion.

Figure 1. Protective effect of lotensin on renal morphology. (A) Hematoxylin-eosin staining of renal tissues (×200); (B) tubulointerstitial injury grades; *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < .05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10).

Figure 2. Effect of lotensin on TGF-β1 expression in renal epithelium. (A) Immunohistochemical staining of TGF-β1 (×200); (B) Quantification of the staining of TGF-β1; *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < .05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10).

Figure 3. Effect of lotensin on TGF-β1 expression in renal tissues. (A) Western blot analysis of TGF-β1 expression in renal tissues; (B) Quantification of TGF-β1 protein expression by normalization to β-actin; *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < .05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10).

Figure 4. Effect of lotensin on α-SMA expression in renal interstitium. (A) Immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA (×200); (B) Quantification of the staining of α-SMA; *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < .05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10).

Figure 5. Effect of lotensin on α-SMA expression in renal tissues. (A) Western blot analysis of α-SMA expression in renal tissues; (B) Quantification of α-SMA protein expression by normalization to β-actin; *p < .05 vs. the sham group; ^#p < 0.05 vs. the 5/6 Nx group (n = 10).