Abstract | BACKGROUND: Novel therapeutic agents are urgently needed to combat renal fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to assess, using complete unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) in rats, whether fluorofenidone (AKF-PD) [1-(3-fluorophenyl)-5-methyl-2-(1H)-pyridone] inhibits renal fibrosis, and to determine whether it exerts its inhibitory function on renal fibroblast activation. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation, UUO and UUO/AKF-PD (500 mg/kg/day). Renal function, tubulointerstitium damage index score, extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, and the expressions of TGF-β(1), collagen III, α-SMA, p-Smad2, p-Smad3, p-ERK1/2, p-JNK and p-p38 were measured. In addition, the expressions of α-SMA, fibronectin, CTGF, p-Smad2/3, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 and p-JNK were measured in TGF-β(1)-stimulated normal rat renal fibroblasts (NRK-49F). RESULTS: AKF-PD treatment significantly attenuated tubulointerstitium damage, ECM deposition, the expressions of TGF-β(1), collagen III, α-SMA, p-ERK1/2, p-p38 and p-JNK in vivo. In vitro, AKF-PD dose-dependently inhibited expressions of α-SMA, fibronectin and CTGF. Furthermore, AKF-PD did not inhibit Smad2/3 phosphorylation or nuclear accumulation, but rather attenuated ERK, p38 and JNK activation. CONCLUSION: AKF-PD treatment inhibits the progression of renal interstitial fibrosis in obstructed kidneys; this is potentially achieved by suppressing fibroblast activation. Therefore, AKF-PD is a special candidate for the treatment of renal fibrosis.
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Authors | Qiongjing Yuan, Rui Wang, Yu Peng, Xiao Fu, Wei Wang, Linghao Wang, Fangfang Zhang, Zhangzhe Peng, Wangbin Ning, Gaoyun Hu, Zhaohe Wang, Lijian Tao |
Journal | American journal of nephrology
(Am J Nephrol)
Vol. 34
Issue 2
Pg. 181-94
( 2011)
ISSN: 1421-9670 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 21791914
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
- 5-methyl-1-(3-fluorophenyl)-2-(1H)-pyridone
- Pyridones
- Smad Proteins
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1
- MAP Kinase Kinase 4
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Topics |
- Animals
- Body Weight
- Fibroblasts
(metabolism)
- Fibrosis
(drug therapy)
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Kidney
(metabolism)
- Kidney Tubules
(metabolism)
- MAP Kinase Kinase 4
(metabolism)
- Male
- Phosphorylation
- Pyridones
(pharmacology)
- Rats
- Rats, Sprague-Dawley
- Smad Proteins
(metabolism)
- Transforming Growth Factor beta1
(metabolism)
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