Objective: To investigate the preventive and theraputic effects of Astragalus and Angelica mixture(A&A)on
renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis after unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)in
rats and their mechanisms. Methods: UUO rats were randomly divided into Sham, UUO, A&A or ACEI groups. A&A, ACEI or the same amount of water was administered by gavage beginning 24 hours before UUO preparation and continued through ten days after UUO. Sera and the kidney tissues were collected from each group on the tenth day. Scr and BUN were measured. Trichrome staining, measurement of tubulo
interstitial damage index and immunohistochemical studies localizing α smooth muscle actin(α SMA), TGF β 1, fibronectin(FN), laminin(LN)were carried out. Results: In UUO rats, the tubular interstitial damage index, the expressions of α SMA, TGF β 1, FN and LN were all increased compared with those of Sham group. The tubulo interstitial damage index had positive correlation with expressions of α SMA, TGF β 1, FN and LN. A&A significantly ameliorated deterioration of renal function, tubulo interstitial damage index and inhibited the over expressions of α SMA, TGF β 1, FN and LN in UUO rats. These anti fibrotic effects were similar to those affected by ACEI. Conclusion: In renal interstitial fibrosis induced UUO rats, A&A retard the progression of renal fibrosis and renal function deterioration by inhibiting myofibroblasts and suppressing TGF β 1 expression, which may consequently result in a decreased production of extracellular matrix.
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