EFFECT OF ATORVASTATIN ON RENAL INTERSTITIAL FIBROSIS AND ITS MECHANISM

Objective To investigate the protective effect of atorvastatin on renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF)and its mechanism.Methods A rat model of RIF was created in 54 Wistar rats using unilateral urethral ligation,which were equally randomized to three groups as sham operation group,model group and treatment group,and treated accordingly.The degree of injury of renal tubule and the index of RIF were observed at weeks 1,2and 3after operation;the expressions of TGF-β1,Smad2,FN and CTGF were detected(using immunohistochemical staining)at weeks 2and 3after operation.Results At weeks 1,2and 3,the degree of injury of renal tubule was more severe and the index of RIF was higher in model group and treatment group than the sham operation group,the degree of injury of renal tubule was milder and the index of RIF was lower in the treatment group than the model group,the differences being significant(F=9.009-11.231,P0.05).At weeks 2and 3,a comparison between the three groups in terms of levels of TGF-β1,Smad2,FN and CTGF showed the highest was in the model group,and the lowest the sham operation group,the differences being significant(F=10.365-11.775,P0.05).Conclusion Atorvastatin can significantly relieve renal interstitial demage and fibrosis caused by unilateral ureter obstruction,which is associated with the inhibition of TGF-β1expression.