Objective: To observe the effects of piperazine ferulate (PF) on synthesis of extracellular matrix and expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in transforming growth factor-betal (TGF-beta1) induced rat glomerular mesangial cells (GMC), and to investigate its mechanism on the prevention of glomerulosclerosis.
Methods: Rat HBZY-1 GMCs were cultured in vitro and divided into 5 groups: Normal control group, TGF-beta1-stimulated group, TGF-beta1 plus 50, 100, 200 ng/mL PF group. The level of CTGF protein expression induced by TGF-beta1 was measured by immunocytochemistry, The mRNA expression of CTGF was evaluated by quantitative real time fluroscent polymerase chain reaction. The expressions of fibronectin and collagen I were analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Results: With the stimulation of TGF-beta1, the expression of of CTGF protein and mRNA, as well as fibronectin and collagen I were markly increased (P < 0.05), which then were decreased by the treatment of PF. (P < 0.05).
Conclusion: PF can partly inhibit synthesis of the extracellular matrix and CTGF. PF may take part in the prevention of glomerulosclerosis through the inhibition of CTGF expression.