Xun Tang1. 1. Department of Nephrology, Zhujiang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510282, China. zyzctzs@public,gz.gd.cn
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the significance of the changes in serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in patients with chronic nephritis, and investigate the changes of TIMP-1 concentrations after losartan therapy. METHODS:Serum TIMP-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 45 patients with chronic nephritis and 10 healthy volunteers respectively, and the relationship between serum TIMP-1 concentration and the degree of renal fibrosis was investigated. The changes of serum TIMP-1 concentrations in patients after losartan therapy were measured in comparison with those of patients without losartan therapy. RESULTS:Serum TIMP-1 concentration in patients with chronic nephritis was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects, and tended to exacerbate the glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Losartan therapy could improve the patients' renal functions, decrease the levels of urine protein and serum TIMP-1. CONCLUSION:Serum TIMP-1 concentration was in close correlation with the degree of renal fibrosis. Losartan therapy could decrease serum TIMP-1 levels, indicating that losartan may slow down the progression of renal fibrosis by regulating the activity of metalloproteinases.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the significance of the changes in serum tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) in patients with chronic nephritis, and investigate the changes of TIMP-1 concentrations after losartan therapy. METHODS: Serum TIMP-1 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 45 patients with chronic nephritis and 10 healthy volunteers respectively, and the relationship between serum TIMP-1 concentration and the degree of renal fibrosis was investigated. The changes of serum TIMP-1 concentrations in patients after losartan therapy were measured in comparison with those of patients without losartan therapy. RESULTS: Serum TIMP-1 concentration in patients with chronic nephritis was significantly higher than that in healthy subjects, and tended to exacerbate the glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Losartan therapy could improve the patients' renal functions, decrease the levels of urine protein and serum TIMP-1. CONCLUSION: Serum TIMP-1 concentration was in close correlation with the degree of renal fibrosis. Losartan therapy could decrease serum TIMP-1 levels, indicating that losartan may slow down the progression of renal fibrosis by regulating the activity of metalloproteinases.