Effect of aldosterone and its receptor antagonist on expression of transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA in cultured rat mesangial cells

[Objective] To evaluate the effect of aldosterone(ALD)and spironolactone(SPI,an aldosterone receptor antagonist)on the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in cultured rat mesangial cells.[Methods] Mesangial cells were treated with medium containing different concentrations of ALD(10-11,10-9 and 10-7mol/L)and/or 10-7mol/L SPI for 24 h,while control cells were treated with vehicle only.The expressions of TGF-β1 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.Mesangial cells were treated with medium containing 10-9mol/L ALD for different time(12 h,24 h and 48 h).The expressions of TGF-β1 mRNA were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.[Result] The expressions of TGF-β1 mRNA were increased significantly by ALD in a dose-and time-dependent manner.SPI inhibited the stimulative effect of ALD.[Conclusion] ALD up-regulates the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in cultured rat mesangial cells.Aldosterone antagonist inhibits the effect of ALD,and thus implicates in the treatment of Glomerulosclerosis.