Aldosterone regulates synthesis of fibronectin in cultured rat mesangial cells

Objective To evaluate the effect of aldosterone and its antagonist on the synthesis and secretion of fibronectin(FN) in cultured rat mesangial cells. Methods ①Mesangial cells were treated with medium containing different concentrations of aldosterone(10~(-11),10~(-9),10~(-7) mol/L) and/or 10~(-7) mol/L spironolactone for 48 h,while control cells were treated with vehicle only.The level of FN in the supernatants was measured by ELISA.The expressions of FN mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.②Mesangial cells were treated with 10~(-9) mol/L aldosterone for 24,48 and 72 h.The levels of FN in the supernatants were measured by ELISA.The expressions of FN mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Results ELISA method showed that the level of FN in the supernatant of cultured rat mesangial cells stimulated with aldosterone increased significantly in a dose-and time-dependent manner.Also the expressions of FN mRNA were increased significantly by aldosterone in a dose-and time-dependent manner by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Spironolactone inhibited the stimulative effect of aldosterone on the synthesis of FN in cultured rat mesangial cells. Conclusion Aldosterone up-regulates the protein synthesis and mRNA expression of FN in cultured rat mesangial cells.Aldosterone antagonist inhibits the effect of aldosterone,and thus implication in the treatment of glomerulosclerosis.