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Title: Intermedin is upregulated and attenuates renal fibrosis by inhibition of oxidative stress in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction. Author: Qiao X, Wang L, Wang Y, Zhao N, Zhang R, Han W, Peng Z. Journal: Nephrology (Carlton); 2015 Nov; 20(11):820-31. PubMed ID: 26014968. Abstract: AIM: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) plays a pivotal role in the progression of renal fibrosis. Reactive oxygen species mediate profibrotic action of TGF-β1. Intermedin (IMD) has been shown to inhibit oxidative stress, but its role in renal fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of IMD on renal fibrosis in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). METHODS: The expression of IMD and its receptors, calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity-modifying proteins (RAMP1/2/3), in the obstructed kidney was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting and immunohistochemistry. To evaluate the effects of IMD on renal fibrosis, we locally overexpressed exogenous IMD in the obstructed kidney using an ultrasound-microbubble-mediated delivery system. Renal fibrosis was determined by Masson trichrome staining. The expression of TGF-β1, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin was measured. Smad2/3 activation and macrophage infiltration were evaluated. We also studied oxidative stress by measuring superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content. RESULTS: mRNA and protein expression of IMD increased after UUO. CRLR, RAMP1, RAMP2 and RAMP3 were also induced by ureteral obstruction. IMD overexpression remarkably attenuated UUO-induced tubular injury and blunted fibrotic response as shown by decreased interstitial collagen deposition and downregulation of fibronectin. Macrophage infiltration, α-SMA and CTGF upregulation caused by UUO were all relieved by IMD, whereas TGF-β1 upregulation and Smad2/3 activation were not affected. Meanwhile, we noted increased oxidative stress in obstruction, which was also attenuated by IMD gene delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that IMD is upregulated after UUO. IMD plays a protective role in renal fibrosis via its antioxidant effects.[Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]