Smad7 alleviates glomerular mesangial cell proliferation via the ROS-NF-κB pathway.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate that altered gene expression of Smad7regulated NF-κB expression and ROS production on Ang II (Angiotensin II)-induced rat glomerular mesangial cell (GMC) proliferation.

Methods: pAdTrack-CMV-Smad7 was transduced into rat GMC by adeno-transduction using an ADV (adenovirus)-mediated vector in vivo. Diphenylene iodonium chloride (DPI) pre-treated GMC, and blocked ROS generation as determined by DCFH-DA method.

[Effects of rhein on activity of caspase-3 in kidney and cell apoptosis on the progression of renal injury in glomerulosclerosis].

Objective: To investigate the effects of rhein on the progression of renal injury and cell apoptosis in glomerulosclerosis, and further explore the protective mechanism of rhein on glomerulosclerosis.

Methods: Glomerulosclerosis models were made for SD rats by unilateral nephrectomy and being injected with Adriamycin into caudal vein, and randomly divided into control group, renal disease group, Rhein treatment group and Benazepril treatment group, and 6 rats in each group were killed at the 6th, 8th, 10th, 12th week respectively. The apoptosis protease-3 (caspase-3) in renal cortex was determined by immunohistochemistry stain method, and the activity of caspase-3 was measured by colorimetry, and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) was analyzed by gel electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), and renal tissue cell apoptosis was tested by terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) in order to observe expressions of caspase-3 and NF-kappaB and cell apoptosis of renal tissue.

Protective effects of blocking renin-angiotensin system on the progression of renal injury in glomerulosclerosis.

To investigate the protective effects of blocking rennin-angiotensin system (RAS) on the progression of renal injury in glomerulosclerosis, a glomerulosclerosis model was made for SD rats by unilateral nephrectomy and being injected with Adriamycin into caudal vein. The rats with glomerulosclerosis were randomly divided as ten per group into those without further treatment (group D) and those treated with Benazepril (group DB), Losartan (group DL), or sham-operation (group C), respectively. After 6 weeks of administration of Benazepril or Losartan, the mRNA expressions of TGF-beta1, Col IV, Fn, ET-1 and iNOS in renal cortex were measured by RT-PCR.