Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis
08:21

A Modified Two Kidney One Clip Mouse Model of Renin Regulation in Renal Artery Stenosis

Published on: October 26, 2020

Preventive effects and mechanisms of rhein on renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructive nephropathy

Dongyuan He1, Li Lee, Junwei Yang

  • 1First Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, P. R. China.

Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin
|August 2, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Rhein effectively treats kidney fibrosis by reducing scarring and blocking the activation of kidney cells. This study shows rhein

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pharmacology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Renal interstitial fibrosis is a significant complication of chronic kidney diseases.
  • Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a common model to study kidney fibrosis.
  • Identifying effective therapeutic agents for renal fibrosis is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the therapeutic potential of rhein against renal interstitial fibrosis induced by UUO.
  • To elucidate the underlying mechanisms of rhein's action in inhibiting fibrosis.

Main Methods:

  • Mice underwent UUO and were treated with rhein or a control vehicle.
  • Pathological staining and Western blot were used to assess renal injury and fibrosis.
  • Western blot, immune-fluorescence, and ELISA were employed to investigate molecular mechanisms.
  • In vitro studies used rat kidney interstitial fibroblast cells (NRK-49F) treated with TGF-β1.

Main Results:

  • Rhein treatment significantly reduced renal interstitial fibrotic lesions and injury.
  • Rhein decreased the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN).
  • Rhein suppressed transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and its type I receptor in obstructed kidneys.
  • In vitro, rhein inhibited TGF-β1-induced α-SMA and fibronectin expression in fibroblasts.

Conclusions:

  • Rhein demonstrates potent therapeutic efficacy in ameliorating established renal interstitial fibrosis.
  • Rhein's mechanism involves inhibiting interstitial fibroblast activation, partly by suppressing the TGF-β1 signaling pathway.
  • Rhein represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating chronic kidney diseases characterized by fibrosis.

More Related Videos

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis04:37

Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction Model for Investigating Kidney Interstitial Fibrosis

Published on: April 25, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System01:26

Heart Failure Drugs: Inhibitors of Renin-Angiotensin System

The activation of the sympathetic nervous system and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) contributes to cardiac remodeling, and inhibiting the RAAS is a pharmacological target in heart failure management. As a result, neurohumoral modulation is a crucial treatment principle for managing heart failure. This approach involves using medications like ACE inhibitors (ACEIs), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), β-blockers, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs), and neutral...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors01:25

Antihypertensive Drugs: Direct Renin Inhibitors

The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is an intricate physiological pathway involving numerous enzymes and hormones, including renin, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), angiotensin I and II, and aldosterone. Imbalances within this system increase the production of angiotensin II and aldosterone. Increased angiotensin II levels promote vasoconstriction and blood pressure elevation. Concurrently, higher aldosterone levels stimulate sodium and water reabsorption in the kidneys,...
Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology01:29

Acute Kidney Injury II: Pathophysiology

Acute kidney injury (AKI) causes are categorized into three primary categories based on the location of the injury: prerenal, intrarenal (or intrinsic), and postrenal causes. This classification guides clinical management and illustrates how different pathways can impair kidney function.Etiology and Pathophysiology of Acute Kidney Injury1. Prerenal causesEtiology: Prerenal Acute Kidney Injury, the most common type, occurs when reduced blood flow to the kidneys decreases filtration capacity...
Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction01:23

Rheumatic Heart Disease I: Introduction

Rheumatic heart disease or RHD is a chronic condition that results from rheumatic fever, causing permanent damage to the heart valves.Etiology and Risk FactorsIt primarily arises from rheumatic fever, an inflammatory disease that can develop after untreated or inadequately treated group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis. Streptococcus spreads through direct contact with oral or respiratory secretions. While the bacteria are the causative agents, factors like malnutrition, overcrowding, poor...
Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors01:30

Antihypertensive Drugs: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a vital component of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, is abundant in lung endothelial cells. ACE converts the inactive decapeptide, angiotensin I, into the active octapeptide, angiotensin II. This potent vasoconstrictor narrows blood vessels, increasing resistance to blood flow and elevating blood pressure. Angiotensin II also stimulates aldosterone production, encouraging kidney cells to reabsorb more sodium and water from urine, thereby increasing...
Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics01:22

Heart Failure Drugs: Diuretics

Heart failure and kidney perfusion are interconnected in a complex way. Reduced renal perfusion and venous congestion are two significant factors that contribute to renal dysfunction in heart failure. The kidneys, primarily responsible for fluid balance in the body, are adversely affected due to compromised cardiac output and increased venous pressure. In response to reduced renal perfusion, the kidneys activate neurohumoral mechanisms to restore balance. However, these mechanisms can be...