کد مقاله | کد نشریه | سال انتشار | مقاله انگلیسی | نسخه تمام متن |
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3886636 | 1249555 | 2008 | 9 صفحه PDF | دانلود رایگان |
T-type calcium channel blockers have been previously shown to protect glomeruli from hypertension by regulating renal arteriolar tone. To examine whether blockade of these channels has a role in protection against tubulointerstitial damage, we used a stereo-selective T-type calcium channel blocker R(-)-efonidipine and studied its effect on the progression of this type of renal injury in spontaneously hypertensive rats that had undergone subtotal nephrectomy. Treatment with racemic efonidipine for 7 weeks significantly reduced systolic blood pressure and proteinuria. The R(-)-enantiomer, however, had no effect on blood pressure but significantly reduced proteinuria compared to vehicle-treated rats. Both agents blunted the increase in tubulointerstitial fibrosis, renal expression of α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin along with transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced renal Rho-kinase activity seen in the control group. Subtotal nephrectomy enhanced renal T-type calcium channel α1G subunit expression mimicked in angiotensin II-stimulated mesangial cells or TGF-β-stimulated proximal tubular cells. Our study shows that T-type calcium channel blockade has renal protective actions that depend not only on hemodynamic effects but also pertain to Rho-kinase activity, tubulointerstitial fibrosis, and epithelial–mesenchymal transitions.
Journal: Kidney International - Volume 73, Issue 7, 1 April 2008, Pages 826–834