2002•Zhonghua putong waike zazhiRequires access
Effects of angiotensin receptor antagonist Losartan on the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF) β_1mRNA in cirrhotic rats
Z. Zhongtao
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Abstract
Objective To investigate effects of angiotensin Ⅱ receptor antagonist Losartan on the expression of TGF β 1mRNA in rats with cirrhosis and the mechanism.Method Forty one male SD rats were divided into normal control ( n =10), cirrhotic control ( n =11), and Losartan treated cirrhotics ( n =20) with Losartan (10?mg·kg -1 ·d -1 ) treatment started on the first day along with CCl 4 administration and on the 5th week, respectively.Expression of TGF β 1 mRNA was examined with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR).The expression of TGF β 1 protein was assayed with immunochemistry.Result Expression of TGF β 1 mRNA and TGF β 1 protein were up regulated in rats with cirrhosis (from 0 93±0 05 to 1 94±0 13, compared with the normal rats P 0 01).Compared with the untreated cirrhotic rats Losartan treatment significantly reduced mRNA and protein levels of TGF β 1 (1 17±0 16 and 1 02±0 11 respectively,all P 0 05).Conclusion Losartan significantly decreases the expression of TGF β 1 in cirrhotic rats.