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[Study on protective effects and its mechanism of leflunomide on renal tissue in rat IgA nephropathy model]
Ying Tang1, Tan-Qi Lou, Cheng Wang
1Department of Nephrology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of SUN Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China.
Objective:
To observe the effects of leflunomide on renal pathology and expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), monocyte chemotaxis peptide 1 (MCP-1) in renal tissue of experimental IgA nephropathy in rat.
Methods:
IgA nephropathy model was reproduced in rats. They were randomly divided into leflunomide group, prednisone group, nephropathy control group, and normal control group. The deposition of immunocomplex in renal tissue and degree of mesangial matrix hyperplasia in mesangial region were detected by immunofluorescence and light microscope; the level of expression of gene and protein of TGF-beta1 and MCP-1 in renal tissue were determined by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) methods.
Results:
Compared with model group, leflunomide lessened the deposit of immunocomplex in renal tissue, alleviated the hyperplasia of mesangial matrix (all P<0.01). Leflunomide could also inhibit the expression of TGF-beta1, MCP-1 at the level of gene and protein in renal tissue (P<0.05 or P<0.01).
Conclusion:
Leflunomide can decrease the deposit of immunocomplex, down regulate the expression of TGF-beta1, MCP-1 in kidney, diminish local inflammatory reaction, relieve hyperplasia of mesangial matrix, related the process of nephrotic fibrosis, and protect renal function.
