Comparative effects between Astragalus-Angelica mixture and enalapril on expression of connective tissue growth factor in rats with renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

Objective To investigate the expression of CTGF in rats with renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis and the effects of enalapril and Astragalus-Angelica mixture(AA) treatment on CTGF protein production. Methods Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rat animal models were used, and the expression of CTGF,α-SMA, collagen I in the obstructed kidneys was assessed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry and Sirius red staining methods after nine days respectively. At the same time, the degree of tubulointerstitial damage was scored. Results The levels of CTGF, α-SMA, collagen I protein in the UUO group increased remarkably comparing with the sham-operated group (P 0.01) and paralleled with the degree of tubulointerstitial damage. In comparison with the model group, the levels of CTGF, and expression of α-SMA, collagen I were significantly reduced by both enalapril and AA treatment. The protein level of CTGF had positive correlation with the index of tubulointerstitial damage ( r = 0. 788, P 0. 01), α-SMA ( r = 0. 940, P 0. 01), and collagen I ( r = 0. 820, P 0. 01). Conclusion Enalapril and AA may suppress fibrosis development, at least in part via down-regulating CTGF expression.