Renoprotective effects of telmisartan after unilateral renal ablation in rats

PURPOSE The renoprotective function of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) is well-known in various studies, including the animal model of renal failure. However, detailed temporal changes of pathological and molecular findings after unilateral nephrectomy are not fully understood. The main purpose of this study was to clarify the renoprotective effects and pathological changes induced by the ARB in rat-remnant kidney (RK) tissues after unilateral nephrectomy, but not after a 5/6 nephrectomy. METHODS Telmisartan, which is structurally and functionally unique among ARB, was used in this study. Three rat groups were examined: A) no ARB administrated (RK, n=21); B) continuous subcutaneous infusion of an ARB administrated (RK-ARB, n=21); and C) a sham-operated group (Sham). Renal function was evaluated by blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and creatinine clearance (Ccr). Fibrosis was evaluated by hydroxyproline levels and Masson's trichrome staining. Expressions of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were investigated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting. RESULTS There was no significant difference regarding body and kidney weight or pathological features evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining between the RK and RK-ARB groups. The Ccr in the RK group was significantly lower than that in the Sham group (P<0.01), but no significant difference was found between the RK-ARB and Sham groups. The fibrotic area increased significantly with time after nephrectomy in the RK group. Although a similar trend was found in the RK-ARB group, the percentage of fibrous area in the RK-ARB group was significantly lower than that in the RK group at each time point (P<0.01). AT1R mRNA levels in the RK group were regulated immediately compared with those in the RK-ARB group. Although expressions of the AT1R and TGF-β were significantly higher in the RK-ARB group than in the Sham group, no significant differences were found between the RK-ARB and Sham group. CONCLUSION The ARB had renoprotective effects after unilateral nephrectomy. The ARB effectively maintained Ccr. Our results also showed the possibility that fibrotic changes mediated by AT1R and TGF-β play an important role in renal protection. Moreover, this is the first report on changes of AT1R expression after using the ARB telmisartan in kidney tissues after unilateral nephrectomy. Finally, our results suggest that ARB may be useful to prevent renal failure in patients treated with nephrectomy.