Effects of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on Expression of HIF-1α and CTGF in Kidney Tissues of Chronic Renal Failure Rats

OBJECTIVE To determine the expressions and effects of HIF-1α and CTGF in kidney tissues of chronic renal failure rats， and to observe the influence of Liuwei Dihuang Decoction on the expression.METHODS The rat models of chronic renal failure were induced by excising 5/6 kidney， which were divided into sham operation group， model group and Liuwei Dihuang Decoction group. After 12 weeks， each index of renal functions was detected. HE was stained to observe renal pathological changes and Masson to observe the deposition of renal tissue collagen; immunohistochemical method and RT-PCR were applied to detect protein levels and gene expression of HIF-1α and CTGF in renal tissues respectively.RESULTS Compared with sham operation group， the protein level and gene expression of HIF-1α and CTGF in renal tissues in model group were significantly elevated(P <0.01). Compared with model group， the protein level and gene expression of HIF-1α and CTGF in renal tissues in treatment group were significantly reduced(P<0.01).CONCLUSION HIF-1α can promote renal interstitial fibrosis by up-regulating CTGF expression while Liuwei Dihuang decoction may attenuate renal interstitial fibrosis by reducing HIF-1α expression.