Effect of compound Biejia Ruangan tablet on expressions of connective tissue growth factor mRNA and protein in kidney tissue of rats with adriamycin-induced nephropathy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) protein and CTGF mRNA in kidney tissue of rats with adriamycin (ADR)-induced nephropathy and to study the effects of compound Biejia Ruangan tablet (CBJRGT), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine for treatment of liver fibrosis. METHODS: A rat model of ADR-induced nephropathy after one-sided nephrectomy was established. Forty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups: normal control group, sham-operated group, untreated group, lotensin-treated group and CBJRGT-treated group. Pathological changes of the kidney tissue were observed by microscopy after 10-week drug administration. The expressions of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA in the kidney tissue were measured by the methods of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The expressions of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA in the normal and sham-operated groups were decreased in the intracytoplasm of glomerular mesangial cells, renal tubular epithelial cells and interstitial cells. Compared with the sham-operated group, the expressions of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA in the untreated group were markedly increased and the development of renal fibrosis in the untreated group could be observed. CBJRGT could significantly decrease the expressions of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA, and there was no significant difference between CBJRGT-treated group and lotensin-treated group. CONCLUSION: CBJRGT may suppress the development of fibrosis through down-regulating the expressions of CTGF protein and CTGF mRNA.