Effect of enalapril on apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in renal interstitial fibrosis in rats

Abstract

To observe the effect of enalapril on the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in renal interstitial fibrosis rats and to explore the mechanism of enalapril on renal interstitial fibrosis. Methods: Twenty-four SD male rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group, a model group and an enalapril group (n=8 in each group). The rats in the model group and the enalapril group underwent the operation of left urethral obstruction to establish the animal model of unilateral urethral obstruction (UUO). Fourteen days later after the operation, all rats were sacrificed and their obstructed kidneys were collected for HE and Masson staining to observe the pathological change of renal tissues. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated (dUTP) nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining was used to detect the apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the protein expression of Fas-associated death domain (FADD), apoptotic protease activating factor-1 (APAF-1) and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Results: Compared with the sham operation group, the renal interstitial injury index and renal interstitial fibrosis index were significantly increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the renal interstitial injury index and renal interstitial fibrosis index were both significantly decreased in the enalapril group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham group, the apoptosis rate of renal tubular epithelial cells was increased in the model group (P<0.05); compared with the model group, the apoptosis rate of renal tubular epithelial cells was significantly reduced in the enalapril group (P<0.05). The protein levels of FADD, APAF-1 and CHOP in the model group were significantly elevated than those in the sham group (all P<0.05), which were reversed in presence of enalapril (all P<0.05). Conclusion: Enalapril can alleviate renal interstitial fibrosis through inhibiting apoptosis of renal tubular epithelial cells in UUO rats.