Expertimental study on leflunomide inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis in rats

Objective To study the effect of leflunomide (Lef) on the process of renal interstitial fibrosis cau-sed by unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) in rats.Methods Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats underwent UUO and were randomly divided into two groups:UUO group (n=12) and Lef treated group (n=12).Then they respectively received vehicle or Lef(10 mg·kg-1·d-1 by daily gastric gavage)during the 14 days following surgery.Additional 12 rats received sham operation.Six rats of each group were killed respectively on the 7th,14th days after surgery.Immunohistochemistry was performed on renal tissue to detect transforming growth factor-β1,and collagenⅠ ,Ⅲ .Histolo-gical changes were also observed by HE and Masson stain.Results In comparison with the UUO group,interstitial factor-β1 expression and collagenⅠ ,Ⅲ deposition were all significantly reduced by Lef treatment.Conclusion Lef can prevent renal interstitial fibrosis process in UUO rats by reducing interstitial factor-β1 expression and collagenⅠ ,Ⅲ deposition.Lef may be used to slow the progression of chronic renal disease.