Intervention of renal connective tissue growth factor expression and renal fibrosis by Benazepril: An experimental study in unilateral ureteral obstruction rats

Objective: To study the effect of Benazepril on the renal connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression and interstitial fibrosis in unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) rats and to illuminate the possible mechanisms. Methods: 24 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Sham-operated, control and Benazepril groups. From the day before operation, the rats were under intragastric administration of Benazepril 10 mg/(kg · d) in Benazepril group, and sodium chloride in tales doses in Sham and control groups. On the 14^th day after operation, the obstructed kidney was taken out to be measured by HE, Masson, and immunohistochemistry staining for TGF-β₁, CTGF, _α-SMA and Col III. Results The score of renal interstitial lesion and fibrosis index in Benazenpril were significantly lower than those in the control group( P<0.05); TGF- β₁, CTGF, _α-SMA and Col III in Benazepril group were significantly less than in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusion: Benazepril may degrade renal interstitial fibrosis by decreaseing CTGF levels and deposition of ECM by way of reducing the activation of cell producing ECM and inhibiting the overexpression of TGF-β₁.