Mechanisms of renal interstitial fibrosis: cross-talk between mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome

Renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF)is the main pathological basis leading to end-stage renal disease,and is closely related to the prognosis of patients with kidney disease.Increasing evidence as shown that mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome play important roles in the pathogenesis of RIF.Studies suggest that inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome by activating mitophagy can prevent and alleviate RIF.This review summarizes role played by cross-talk between mitophagy and NLRP3 inflammasome in promoting RIF,so as to offer new perspectives on more effective slow the progression of renal diseases and fibrosis prevention.

Visual Analysis of Knowledge Map of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Prevention and Treatment of Pulmonary Interstitial Fibrosis Based on CiteSpace

Objective: To analyze the relevant research literature on the prevention and treatment of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), understand the current research status, hot spots and future development trend in this field, and provide basis and feasible suggestions for further research in this field. Methods: The journal literatures related to the prevention and treatment of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis with TCM in recent 20 years in CNKI database were searched and passed through CiteSpace 5.8.R3 generates the knowledge map of relevant literature authors, document issuing institutions and keywords, and makes visual analysis. Results: A total of 1,576 documents were included, and the annual number of documents showed a fluctuating upward trend, forming a relatively stable research team represented by authors such as LYU Xiaodong, PANG Lijian and LIU Chuang;According to the atlas of document issuing institutions, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and its affiliated hospitals ranked first in the number of documents issued, and the cooperation between institutions is dominated by the University of traditional Chinese medicine and its affiliated hospitals;Keyword cluster analysis shows that a large number of studies have been carried out in the field of etiology and pathogenesis, TCM compound, clinic and experiment. Conclusion: The research on the prevention and treatment of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis with TCM has a high degree of attention, but the cooperation network between the research authors and institutions needs to be strengthened. The research on the pathogenesis and improving the quality of life of patients is the trend of development in the future.

Effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rats

Objective:To observe effect of alprostadil combined with Diammonium glycyrrhizinate on renal interstitial fibrosis in SD rate.Methods:A total of 75 SD rate were randomly divided into A,B,C,D,E groups with 15 in each group.Rats in group A served as the control group received just only but tissue separation without modeling operation,while model of unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO) was established in B,C,D,E groups.Rats in A,B group were given saline lavage placebo treatment,while rats in C,D,E groups were given dianunonium glycyrrhizinate and alprostadil injection.Five rats were sacrificed 1,2,3 weeks after modeling,serum creatinine level of femoral venous blood was determined.Transforming growth factor- β1(TCF- β1) and concentration of connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) were also detected by using ELISA.Line renal interstitial tissue was taken after HE staining,renal interstitial TGF- β1 and CTGF expression were detected by using immunohistochemical method.Results:Serum creatinine levels of B,C,D,E group at different time points in were significantly higher than that of group A(P<0.05);serum creatinine levels in group B were significantly higher than that of C,D,E group at each time point(P<0.05).Serum creatinine level of Croup E was significantly lower than C,D group after 2,3 weeks(P<0.05).Rate in A group at each time point showed no significant changes in TGF- β1 and CREA concentration in serum and kidney tissues(P>0.05);while serum and kidney tissue TGF- β1,concentration of CREA.expression of rats in B,C,D,E groups showed a gradual increasing trend over time.TCF- β1 and CREF of Group B in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly higher than that of the other groups(P<0.05).TCF- β1 and CREF of Group E in serum and kidney tissues at each time point were significantly lower than that of B,C,D group at all time points in serum and kidney tissues(P<0.05).Conclusions:Alprostadil combined with diammonium glycyrrhizinate can significantly lower the expression of TGF- β1 and CTGF in serum and tissues of SD rat with renal interstitial fibrosis,thus inhibit rat renal interstitial fibrosis process.It has synergy protective effect.

Effects of Losartan on Cell Apoptosis and Expression of Caspase-3 and JNK Proteins in Kidney Tissue in Renal Interstitial Fibrosis Rats

[Objectives]To investigate the effects of losartan on cell apoptosis and the expression of caspase-3 and JNK proteins in kidney tissue in the adenine-induced renal fibrosis rats.[Methods]Thirty Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups:control group(n=10),model group(n=10)and losartan group(n=10).The rats in the control group received saline,while those in the model group and losartan group both received adenine by gavage,for 21 d.After the renal interstitial fibrosis model was established,the rats in the losartan group were treated with losartan[10 mg/(kg·d)],while the rats in the control group and the model group rats were administered with the same amount of saline.The course of treatment was 30 d.Finally,the renal function,blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr),creatinine clearance rate(Ccr)and the pathological morphology of the rats were detected.The apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells was tested by TUNEL.The caspase-3 and JNK protein expression was tested by Western blotting.[Results]After administering adenine for 21 d,the BUN,24 MTP and kidney/body weight in the model group were increased,significantly higher than the control group(P<0.01),and the Ccr was remarkably decreased(P<0.01),signifying that the renal interstitial fibrosis model was successfully built.After treating with losartan for 30 d,the Scr,BUN,and 24 MTP were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the Ccr was significantly increased in the losartan group(P<0.01).In addition,in comparison to the model group,renal tubular epithelial apoptosis was decreased and caspase-3 and JNK expression was downregulated in the losartan group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Losartan can reduce the adenine-induced elevation of Scr,BUN and 24 hMPT,increase Ccr,improve general condition of renal interstitial fibrosis in rats and ameliorate the progression of chronic kidney failure(CKD).The effectiveness of losartan is probably due to its ability to regulate caspase-3,JNK protein expression and attenuate renal cell apoptosis.

Unique interstitial miRNA signature drives fibrosis in a murine model of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

AIM To delineate changes in miRNA expression localized to the peri-cystic local microenvironment(PLM) in an orthologous mouse model of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease(ADPKD)(mcwPkd1^(nl/nl)).METHODS We profiled miRNA expression in the whole kidney and laser captured microdissection(LCM) samples from PLM in mcwPkd1^(nl/nl)kidneys with Qiagen miScript 384 HC miRNA PCR arrays. The three times points used are:(1) post-natal(PN) day 21, before the development of trichrome-positive areas;(2) PN28, the earliest sign of trichrome staining; and(3) PN42 following the development of progressive fibrosis. PN21 served as appropriate controls and as the reference time point for comparison of miRNA expression profiles.RESULTS LCM samples revealed three temporally upregulated miRNAs [2 to 2.75-fold at PN28 and 2.5 to 4-fold(P ≤ 0.05) at PN42] and four temporally downregulated miRNAs [2 to 2.75 fold at PN28 and 2.75 to 5-fold(P ≤ 0.05) at PN42]. Expression of twenty-six miRNAs showed no change until PN42 [six decreased(2.25 to 3.5-fold)(P ≤ 0.05) and 20 increased(2 to 4-fold)(P ≤ 0.05)]. Many critical miRNA changes seen in the LCM samples from PLM were not seen in the contralateral whole kidney.CONCLUSION Precise sampling with LCM identifies miRNA changes that occur with the initiation and progression of renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF). Identification of the target proteins regulated by these miRNAs will provide new insight into the process of fibrosis and identify unique therapeutic targets to prevent or slow the development and progression of RIF in ADPKD.

Effects of Manshenkangning Prescription on Adenine-induced Renal Interstitial Fibrosis in Rats

[Objectives]To study the protective effects of Manshenkangning Prescription on adenine-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in rats,and explore the possible mechanism.[Methods]Sixty Wistar male rats were divided into normal group,model group,control group(administered with 10 mg/(kg·d)losartan)and high,medium and low dose experimental groups(30,15,7.5 mg/(kg·d)Manshenkangning).The rat models of renal interstitial fibrosis were induced by intragastric administration of adenine(250 mg/(kg·d)).After 2 h,the above drugs were administered intragastrically for 21 consecutive days and the administration time was 30 consecutive days.Serum creatinine(SCr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),24 h urinary protein(24 h MTP)and glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)were measured by biochemical method;renal histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.Renal collagen deposition in rats was observed by Masson staining.[Results]The SCr in model group and the high,medium and low dose experimental groups were(340.00±22.99),(176.80±18.60),(234.75±13.59),(266.11±14.78)μmol/L,and BUN were(23.74±2.51),(14.53±2.25),(18.78±0.88),(18.90±2.14)mmol/L;24 h MTP were(675.86±74.58),(323.81±41.83),(438.84±34.69),(493.76±37.04)mg/d;eGFR were(19.30±2.48),(49.96±10.95),(32.61±10.75),(27.18±5.98)mL/min,and the difference was statistically significant compared with the normal group(all P<0.05).HE staining and Masson staining showed that compared with normal group,the renal interstitial lesions in model group were severe and the renal interstitial collagen material was deposited in a large amount.The renal interstitial tubule injury was relieved and the renal interstitial collagen deposition was reduced in experimental groups.And the difference was statistically significant(all P<0.01).[Conclusions]Manshenkangning can significantly protect the kidney against the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats.Its possible mechanism is to regulate the activity of SIRT1 and inhibit the expression of COX-2 in order to resist the inflammatory reaction of kidney and improve the ability of anti-oxidative stress of kidney,thus delaying the occurrence and development of chronic renal failure.

Kidney tissue targeted metabolic profiling of renal interstitial fibrosis rats induced by unilateral ureteral obstruction using NMR

Aim Renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） is a common final pathological process in the progression of kid- hey disease. To investigate the pathogenesis of RIF and offer invaluable instructions for diagnosis and therapy treat- 1 ment of RIF. Method： H NMR based-metabolomics study on targeted kidney tissue of RIF rats induced by uni- lateral ureteral obstruction was conducted combined with multivariate data analysis to characterize the alteration of endogenous metabolites and elucidate the molecular mechanism of RIF. Results The combination of a variety of statistical methods was used to screen out 14 potential significantly changed metabolites, including increased levels of lactate, methionine, aspartate, allantoin, uracil, 3-HB and decreased levels of TMAO, leucine, valine, lysine, adenosine, adenine, tyrosine and phenylalanine in the left kidney of UUO rats, compared with SO rats. To gain ad- ditional insight about the relationship between metabolites, they were mapped to KEGG IDs and built compound network by Metscape reflecting the complex pathology and providing evidence for the involvement of such processes as altered amino acid metabolism, adenine metabolism, energy metabolism, osmolyte change and induced oxidative stress. In addition, we have explored the morphology and size, calculated the degree of fibrosis based on altered differential metabolites, and speculated the probable causes of moderate RIF of contralateral kidneys to help to un- derstand the disease, which was also supported by serum biochemistry and kidney histopathology results. In addi- tion, the correlation analysis of the pathological parameters （ clinical chemistry, histological and immunohistochem- istry results） with the significantly changed differential metabolites responsible for the cluster （different groups） was also performed. Conclusion Our work shows that target tissue metabolomics analysis can be used as a power-ful tool to gain a better understanding of the mechanism of the disease and provide a novel insight in the pathogene- sis of RIF.

Research progress of renal interstitial fibrosis

Renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） is a common pathological process of chronic kidney disease that progresses toend-stage renal failure. The degree of RIF is closely related to renal function. The study of the pathogenesis of renalinterstitial fibrosis, exploration of effective prevention measures to delay the progress of end stage renal disease andprolong the life of patients is significant. The pathology of RIF has complicated extracellular and intercellularmechanisms, involving many cells and cytokines, resulting in an incomplete mechanistic understanding of thedisease. Finding effective herbs or herbal extracts for prevention and treatment of RIF is crucial because currentmedical approaches do not reliably slow or reverse RIF. The research progress of RIF in recent years issummarized as follows.

Effect of sodium ferulate in combined with atorvastatin on the renal interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory cytokines in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Objective:To explore the effect of sodium ferulate in combined with atorvastatin on the renal interstitial fibrosis and inflammatory cytokines in patients with diabetic nephropathy (DN). Methods: A total of 111 patients with DN who were admitted in our hospital from January, 2016 to April, 2017 were included in the study and randomized into the observation group and the control 1 and 2 group with 37 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were given routine blood sugar reducing, blood pressure reducing, and high quality low protein diet. On the above basis, the patients in the control 2 group were orally administrated with atorvastatin before sleep (20 mg). On the basis of treatments in the control 1 group, the patients in the observation group were given sodium ferulate (0.3 g) + 0.9% NaCl (250 mL), ivdrip, 1 time/d, and administrated with atorvastatin before sleep (20 mg). The fasting peripheral venous blood before and after treatment in the three groups was collected. The glycse oxidase (GOD) method was used to detect FPG. ELISA was used to detect SCr, TGF-β, AngⅡ, CTGF, hs-CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6. RIA was used to detect BUN and 24hUAER. The strengthened chemiluminescence immunoassay was used to detect CⅣ and PCⅢ. MAP was recorded. Results: FPG, MAP, BUN, 24hUAER, and SCr after treatment in the control 2 group were significantly lower than those in the control 1 group. FPG, MAP, BUN, 24hUAER, and SCr after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control 2 group. AngⅡ, TGF-β, CTGF, PCⅢ, and CⅣ after treatment in the control 2 group were significantly lower than those in the control 1 group. AngⅡ, TGF-β, CTGF, PCⅢ, and CⅣ after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control 2 group. TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP after treatments in the control 2 group were significantly lower than those in the control 1 group. TNF-α, IL-6, and hs-CRP after treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control 2 group.Conclusions:The sodium ferulate in combined with atorvastatin can effectively improve the renal function in patients with DN, alleviate the systemic inflammatory reaction, and delay the renal interstitial fibrosis speed.

Exploring the mechanism of Qinghaobiejiatang in treating renal interstitial fibrosis based on network pharmacology

To explore the potential mechanism of the classic ancient prescription Qinghaobiejiatang(QHBJT)in treating renal interstitial fibrosis.Methods:Obtain the active ingredients of Qinghao(Artemisiae annuae herba),Biejia(Trionycis carapax),Dihuang(Rehmanniae radix),Zhimu(Anemarrhenae rhizoma),and Mudanpi(Moutan cortex)through TCMSP and TCMID databases.Collect disease targets through the GENECARDS database.Use Venny2.1.0 platform to draw Venn diagrams to map drugs and disease targets.Import the key targets into Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to draw a network diagram of“drugs-active ingredients-diseases-key targets”.The STRING11.0 database was used to construct the key target protein interaction network diagram.Use R language for Gene ontology function and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analysis.Results:A total of 317 active ingredients were obtained through screening,involving 166 targets,and 102 active ingredients related to disease targets,mainly involved in the regulation of key targets such as FOS,IL6,MTOR,MAPK8,RELA,CCND1,TP53,EGFR,and CASP3 signal pathways related to viral infection,tumor-related,apoptosis,signal transduction,fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis play a synergistic role in the treatment of renal fibrosis.Conclusion:The effect mechanism of QHBJT in treating renal interstitial fibrosis is related to inflammation,oxidative stress,hypoxia,apoptosis,pathological activation and damage of renal tubular epithelial cells mediated by the above pathways.

Acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease in the intensive care unit:Principles of diagnostic evaluation and management

Interstitial lung disease(ILD)is typically managed on an outpatient basis.Critical care physicians manage patients with ILD in the setting of an acute exacerbation(ILD flare)causing severe hypoxia.The principles of management of acute exacerbation of ILD are different from those used to manage patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome from sepsis,etc.Selected patients may be candidates for aggressive measures like extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and lung transplantation,while almost all patients will benefit from early palliative care.This review focused on the types of ILD,diagnosis,and management pathways for this challenging condition.

Interstitial lung disease and diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease and its prevalence has beensteadily increasing all over the world. DM and its associated micro andmacrovascular complications result in significant morbidity and mortality. Themicrovascular complications are usually manifested as retinopathy, neuropathy,nephropathy and macrovascular complications generally affect the cardiovascularsystem. In addition to these complications, DM also affects the lungs because of itsrich vascularity and abundance in connective tissue (collagen and elastin). DMhas been found to cause microvascular complications and proliferation ofextracellular connective tissue in the lungs, leading to decline in lung function in arestrictive pattern. Interstitial lung disease (ILD) includes a diverse group ofdisease conditions characterized by different degrees of inflammation and fibrosisin the pulmonary parenchyma. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is one of thecommon type of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia with a high mortality rate. IPFis characterized by chronic progressive fibrosis leading to progressive respiratoryfailure. In this review we focus on lung as the target organ in DM and theassociation of DM and ILD with special emphasis on IPF.

Sleep disordered breathing in interstitial lung disease: A review

Patients with interstitial lung disease commonly exhibit abnormal sleep architecture and increased sleep fragmentation on polysomnography. Fatigue is a frequent complaint, and it is likely that poor sleep quality is a significant contributor. A number of studies have shown that sleep disordered breathing is prevalent in this population, particularly in the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis subgroup. The factors that predispose these patients to obstructive sleep apnoea are not well understood, however it is believed that reduced caudal traction on the upper airway can enhance collapsibility. Ventilatory control system instability may also be an important factor, particularly in those with increased chemo-responsiveness, and in hypoxic conditions. Transient, repetitive nocturnal oxygen desaturation is frequently observed in interstitial lung disease, both with and without associated obstructive apnoeas. There is increasing evidence that sleep-desaturation is associated with increased mortality, and may be important in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension in this population.

Polymyxin B-immobilized fiber columns:A column to breathe new life into the treatment of interstitial lung disease?

Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF) is a severe respiratory condition with high mortality rate. Direct hemoperfusion with polymyxin B-immobilized fiber columns(PMX-DHP) was originally introduced for the treatment of septic shock. Application of PMX-DHP to the treatment of acute exacerbations of IPF may improve oxygenation and survival of the patients with the disease. In addition to acute exacerbations of IPF, PMXDHP has been applied to acute respiratory failure fromvarious causes; an amyopathic dermatomyositis patient who developed rapidly progressive interstitial lung disease(ILD) with elevated anti-CADM-140/MDA5 autoantibody and a patient with severe amiodarone pulmonary toxicity. It is also demonstrated that PMX-DHP performed on the first day of steroid pulse therapy may improve the prognosis of patients with rapidly progressive ILDs in a case-control setting. PMX treatment decreases not only various circulating molecules but also inflammatory cells, in particular activated monocytes, producing such mediators. Although the incidence of acute exacerbations of IPF is too low for proper randomization, in order to test the effects of PMX-DHP on the disease, a cohort or casecontrol analytic study needs to be conducted, preferably from more than one center or research group.

Shen Qi Wan attenuates renal interstitial fibrosis through upregulating AQP1

Renal interstitial fibrosis(RIF)is the crucial pathway in chronic kidney disease(CKD)leading to the end-stage renal failure.However,the underlying mechanism of Shen Qi Wan(SQW)on RIF is not fully understood.In the current study,we investigated the role of Aquaporin 1(AQP1)in SQW on tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition(EMT).A RIF mouse model induced by adenine and a TGF-β1-stimulated HK-2 cell model were etablished to explore the involvement of AQP 1 in the protective effect of SQW on EMT in vitro and in vivo.Subsequently,the molecular mechanism of SQW on EMT was explored in HK-2 cells with AQP1 knockdown.The results indicated that SQW alleviated kidney injury and renal collagen deposition in the kidneys of mice induced by adenine,increased the protein expression of E-cadherin and AQP1 expression,and decreased the expression of vimentin andα-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Similarly,treatmement with SQW-containing serum significantly halted EMT process in TGF-β1 stimulated HK-2 cells.The expression of snail and slug was significantly upregulated in HK-2 cells after knockdown of AQP1.AQP1 knockdown also increased the mRNA expression of vimentin andα-SMA,and decreased the expression of E-cadherin.The protein expression of vimentin increased,while the expression of E-cadherin and CK-18 significantly decreased after AQP1 knockdown in HK-2 cells.These results revealed that AQP1 knockdown promoted EMT.Furthermore,AQP1 knockdown abolished the protective effect of SQW-containing serum on EMT in HK-2 cells.In sum,SQW attentuates EMT process in RIF through upregulation of the expression of AQP1.

Z-Guggulsterone alleviated renal fibrosis and G_(2)/M cycle arrest through Klotho/P53 signaling

OBJECTIVE Chronic kidney disease(CKD)has become a global public health problem with 10%-15%incidence rate,and inhibiting the renal interstitial fibrosis is considered to be a potential strategy to delay the progression of CKD.Z-Guggulsterone(Z-GS),an active compound from derived from Commiphora mukul,has been proved to be effective in various diseases.The present study aimes to determine the protective effect and the molecular mechanism of Z-GS on renal fibrosis.METHODS Unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO)mice and hypoxia-induced HK-2 cells were used to simulate renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo,respectively.The mice and cells were treated with different doses of Z-GS to observe the pharmacological action.Renal function,including Scr,BUN,and UA,were detected by commercial kits.H&E and Masson staining were performed to observe histopathological changes of kidney.Cell viability and LDH release of HK-2 cells were detected by commercial kits.Cell cycle distribution and apoptosis rate were analyzed by flow cytometry.Fibrosis markers were detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence analysis.Cell cycle related proteins and Klotho/p53 signaling were analyzed by Western blotting.RESULTS The results showed that Z-GS decreased the rise of Scr,BUN,and UA and lightened renal histopathological injury,which were induced by UUO.Besides,Z-GS administration alleviated renal fibrosis in mice by inhibiting the expressions ofα-SMA,TGF-βand collagenⅣ,and delayed G2/M cell cycle arrest by promoting the expressions of CDK1 and cyclinD1/B1 rate.Experiments in vitro indicated that Z-GS treatment significantly increased the cell viability while decreased the LDH release in hypoxia-induced HK-2 cells.In addition,hypoxia induced fibrosis and G2/M cycle arrest in HK-2 cells were retarded by Z-GS.The study of its possible mechanism exhibited that Z-GS treatment increased the level of Klotho and inhibited P53 level.Nevertheless,the effect of Z-GS on Klotho/P53 signaling was reversed by siRNA-Klotho.Moreover,siRNA-Klotho treatment eliminated the effects of Z-GS on G2/M cell cycle arrest and fibrosis.CONCLUSION This study clarified that Z-GS alleviated renal fibrosis and G2/M cycle arrest through Klotho/P53 signaling pathway.People who have suffered CKD may potentially benefit from treatment with Z-GS.

Effects of Yishenbupi (tonifying-kidney and invigorating-spleen) prescription on the expression of renal fibrosis-associated proteins in unilateral ureteral occlusion rats

Objective:To evaluate the effects and mechanism of the Yishenbupi(tonifying-kidney and invigorating-spleen)prescription on the expression of renal fibrosis-associated vimentin,α-SMA,and fibronectin in unilateral ureteral occlusion rats.Methods:A total of 48 SD(Sprague-Dawley)rats were randomly divided into the model,sham-operated(sham),irbesartan,and Yishenbupi groups,with 12 rats in each group.After the unilateral ureteral occlusion model was established,rats in the model and sham groups were administered normal saline,whereas rats in the Yishenbupi group were administered Yishenbupi prescription(18 g/kg/d)intragastrically and those in the irbesartan group were administered irbesartan(10 mg/kg/d)intragastrically.All rats were sacrificed 21 days later.Pathological changes in rat renal tissue were evaluated by H&E staining.The expression of vimentin,α-SMA,and fibronectin in renal tissues was detected by western blotting.Results:Compared with the sham group the model group had renal tubular epithelial cell atrophy,inflammatory cell infiltration accompanied with the proliferation of interstitial collagen fibers,fewer glomeruli,or glomerulosclerosis.Compared with the model group,significantly less renal tubular and glomerular damages,inflammatory cell infiltration,and collagen fibers were observed in different intervention groups,especially in the Yishenbupi group.Compared with the sham group,significantly higher expressions of fibrosis markers,including vimentin,α-SMA,and fibronectin,were observed in the model group.Compared with the model group,the expression of anti-fibrosis markers,including vimentin,α-SMA and fibronectin,was significantly decreased in both the irbesartan and Yishenbupi groups(P<0.01);however,the Yishenbupi group showed higher efficacy than the irbesartan group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The Yishenbupi prescription may improve renal fibrosis by reducing the expression of fibrosis-associated vimentin,α-SMA,and fibronectin.

Research progress of Chinese medicine in treatment of IPF(idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis)

Idiopathic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis is one of the respiratory refractory diseases,and the incidence rate is on the rise.At present,the effect of western medicine is not ideal and the side effects are obvious,while the traditional Chinese medicine shows good curative effect on the disease.This paper makes a summary on the traditional Chinese medicine theory in treating idiopathic pulmonary interstitial fibrosis in recent years.