Pirfenidone suppressed the development of glomerulosclerosis in the FGS/Kist mouse.

Pirfenidone (PFD) is a newly developed anti-fibrotic agent. We evaluated the effect of PFD for the prevention of renal fibrosis using a spontaneous progressive glomerulosclerosis animal model, FGS/Kist mice. Male and female FGS/Kist mice were fed a diet containing 0.5% PFD or the same control diet (CD) without PFD, for 1, 2, or 3-month periods. Body weight was monitored for the general effect of PFD on the mice. Proteinuria and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) were evaluated for renal function. The sclerosis index was examined for the morphological changes. There were no significant changes in body weight between the PFD and control groups in both sexes. Proteinuria levels were low in all the PFD groups compared to the corresponding CD groups. The sclerosis scores were also reduced in both sexes of the 3-month PFD groups (p<0.05), and glomerular filtration rates were increased in both sexes of the 3-month PFD groups compared to the CD groups. The treatment of PFD for 1 or 2-month periods did not have statistic significances but the treatment for 3 months had statistic significances in sclerosis and GFR compared to CD groups. These results suggested that long-term administration of PFD suppressed the progression of glomerulosclerosis and improved renal function of the FGS/Kist mice.