他克莫司和环孢素A对大鼠肾脏转化生长因子及其受体表达影响的比较

目的比较他克莫司（FK506）和环孢素A（CsA）所致慢性肾毒性大鼠模型肾组织转化生长因子目（TGF-1β）及其受体（TβRⅡ）的表达。方法分别以FK506和CsA灌胃复制大鼠FK506和CsA慢性肾毒性模型，观察大鼠的一般情况，计算肌酐清除率，观察大鼠肾组织病理变化，以免疫组织化学法检测肾组织中TGF-1β、TβR Ⅰ、TBRⅡ蛋白表达的变化，原位杂交法检测肾组织中TβR Ⅰ mRNA及TβR Ⅱ mRNA表达的变化。结果CsA组和FK506组的肾小管、小管间质和人球小动脉均有损伤，但CsA组的损伤明显较FK506组重（P〈0．05）。正常对照组大鼠肾组织中仅见少量TGF-[3，、TβR I和T13RⅡ表达，CsA组和FK506组的TGF-β，、TβR I和TβR Ⅱ表达均明显增加，但FK506组稍轻；正常对照组大鼠肾组织中仅见少量TβR I mRNA、TβR Ⅱ mRNA表达，CsA组和FK506组TβR I mRNA、TβR Ⅱ mRNA明显表达，但FK506组较CsA组为轻。结论FK506的慢性肾毒性弱于CsA，它所诱导的大鼠肾组织中TGF-β，及其受体TβR I和TβR Ⅱ的表达均低于CsA。     

他克莫司对糖尿病早期大鼠肾组织巨噬细胞浸润、增殖及活化的影响

目的 研究他克莫司( FK506)对糖尿病早期大鼠肾组织巨噬细胞浸润、增殖及活化的影响及探讨其肾脏保护作用机制.方法 链脲菌素(STZ)腹腔一次性注射建立大鼠糖尿病模型.按数字随机法分为对照组、模型组、他克莫司(0.5、1.0 mg·kg-1·d-1)治疗组,4周后观察大鼠肾质量指数(肾质量/体质量,KWI)、尿白蛋白排泄率(UAER)、肌酐清除率(Ccr)及肾组织病理形态学变化.应用免疫组化单染及双染方法检测肾组织内巨噬细胞表面标志抗原ED-1、增殖细胞核抗原(PCNA)及诱生性一氧化氮合酶(iNOS)的表达.结果 他克莫司1.0组大鼠KWI低于模型组(P＜0.05).他克莫司0.5组与1.0组大鼠UAER水平与肾小球平均体积低于模型组(P＜0.05).他克莫司1.0组肾小管间质损伤指数也明显低于模型组(P＜0.01).免疫组化显示模型组大鼠肾组织ED-1+、PCNA+及iNOS+巨噬细胞数显著高于对照组(P＜0.01);他克莫司0.5与1.0组ED-1+的巨噬细胞数与模型组差异无统计学意义;PCNA+及iNOS+的巨噬细胞数则显著低于模型组(P＜0.01).结论 他克莫司可改善糖尿病早期大鼠肾损害,其机制可能部分与抑制肾组织中巨噬细胞的增殖及活化有关.     

辛伐他汀减轻UUO大鼠肾纤维化及可能机制的研究

目的本研究旨在探讨辛伐他汀改善输尿管梗阻(UUO)大鼠肾组织纤维化以及可能的机制。方法 30只SD大鼠,随机分为假手术对照组(Sham组)、模型组(UUO组)和辛伐他汀治疗组(Sim组),治疗组术前3 d予20 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)辛伐他汀生理盐水混悬液3 mL灌胃治疗,对照组及模型组予等体积生理盐水灌胃。成模后7 d处死各组大鼠。行HE、Masson、PAS染色方法光镜下观察大鼠肾脏病理改变;免疫组化观察Wnt4和β-catenin蛋白在肾组织的表达; Western blotting检测各组大鼠肾皮质β-catenin、Wnt4、GSK-3β、p-GSK-3β、CollagenⅠ、α-SMA和E-cadherin蛋白在各组大鼠肾组织的相对表达量。结果与Sham组相比,UUO组大鼠肾组织纤维化病变明显,肾组织β-catenin、Wnt4、α-SMA、p-GSK-3β、CollagenⅠ蛋白的表达明显增多(P 0.05),E-cadherin蛋白表达减少(P 0.01),与UUO组相比,Sim组肾组织α-SMA、CollagenⅠ、Wnt4、β-catenin和p-GSK-3β蛋白表达减少(P 0.05),E-cadherin蛋白表达多(P 0.05)。结论辛伐他汀能改善肾脏纤维化病变,可能与其抑制Wnt4/β-catenin信号通路的激活和传导有关。     

Tacrolimus对糖尿病大鼠肾脏足细胞损伤的保护作用及机制

目的探讨Tacrolimus（FK506）是否通过足细胞的保护作用减轻糖尿病大鼠尿白蛋白排泄。方法将40只大鼠按随机数表法分为对照组（C组）、糖尿病（diabetesmellitus,DM）模型组（DM组）、DM＋FKS060．5mg·kg^-1·d^-1给药组（FK5060．5组）及DM＋FK5061．0mg·kg^-1·d^-1给药组（FK5061．0组）,每组10只。采用链脲佐菌素（streptozotocin,STZ）腹腔注射建立糖尿病模型,FK506灌胃给药。4周后大鼠24h尿白蛋白测定采用酶联免疫方法,电镜下观察肾小球足细胞病理组织学改变,应用免疫荧光与Westernblot检测肾组织Nephrin和Podocin表达。结果DM组大鼠24h尿白蛋白排泄率（albuminexcretionrate,AER）明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）,FK5060．5与1．0mg／kg给药组大鼠AER水平明显低于模型组（P〈0．05,P〈0．01）。透射电镜观察DM组肾小球基底膜增厚、结构模糊不清,系膜基质增多,足细胞损伤,与DM组比较,FK5060．5、1．0组肾组织超微结构改变有不同程度改善。免疫荧光显示Nephrin和Podocin在C组大鼠肾小球呈线状均匀分布;DM组大鼠肾小球表达明显减少,且呈颗粒状不均匀分布;FK5060．5组和FK5061．0组Nephrin和Podocin表达不同程度增加,呈线状及颗粒状分布。Westernblot显示DM组Nephrin和Podocin较C组表达明显下降;FK5060．5组和FK5061．0组Nephrin和Podocin量较DM组明显增加（P〈0．01）。结论FK506能减少糖尿病大鼠尿白蛋白排泄,改善肾小球足细胞病变,其机制可能与上调Nephrin和Podocin表达有关。     

刺梨冻干粉对肾纤维化模型大鼠的影响及干预机制研究

目的通过观察刺梨冻干粉对单侧输尿管梗阻(unilateral ureteral obstruction,UUO)模型大鼠肾纤维化及免疫炎症因子的影响,探讨刺梨冻干粉延缓肾纤维化的干预机制。方法将SD雄性大鼠分为4组:假手术组、UUO模型组、氯沙坦钾组和刺梨冻干粉组,前两组均予以蒸馏水,氯沙坦钾、刺梨冻干粉组分别给予氯沙坦钾片(1 mg/100 g)及刺梨冻干粉(300 mg/100 g)灌胃治疗,首次给药后14 d处死大鼠,采集标本,观察各组大鼠肾组织病理改变,应用免疫组织化学法检测α平滑肌肌动蛋白(alpha smooth muscle actinα-SMA)、Ⅲ型胶原(collagenⅢ,Col-Ⅲ)及蛋白免疫印迹法(Western blot)检测肾脏组织转化生长因子β1(transforming growth factor-β1,TGF-β1)、核转录因子-κB p65(NF-κB p65)、Toll样受体2(Toll-like receptor,TLR2)蛋白的表达。结果光镜下,假手术组肾组织结构基本正常,无明显炎性细胞浸润,间质无或少许胶原纤维;模型组肾组织结构紊乱,大量炎性细胞浸润,肾间质可见明显的胶原纤维沉积,氯沙坦钾、刺梨冻干粉组与模型组比较病理改变明显减轻。假手术组大鼠肾组织中仅少量α-SMA、Col-Ⅲ、TGF-β1、NF-κB p65及TLR2蛋白表达,模型组中上述蛋白表达显著升高;与模型组比较,刺梨冻干粉组、氯沙坦钾组大鼠肾组织中α-SMA、Col-Ⅲ、TGF-β1、NF-κB p65、TLR2蛋白显著降低(P0.01);刺梨冻干粉组肾组织中TLR2、NF-κB p65蛋白较氯沙坦钾组表达显著降低(P0.05),α-SMA、Col-Ⅲ、TGF-β1蛋白表达二者比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。刺梨冻干粉能够明显减轻UUO大鼠肾功能的损害及输尿管梗阻导致的肾纤维化。结论刺梨冻干粉对UUO模型大鼠肾组织局部的免疫微环境有调节作用,能改善肾纤维化。     

FK506对大鼠离体肾细胞凋亡及bcl-2蛋白、bcl-2 mRNA表达的影响

目的观察在含FK506的肾保存液保存的大鼠离体肾脏中bcl-2蛋白、bcl-2mRNA表达及肾细胞凋亡。探讨FK506对离体肾的保护的作用。方法建立离体大鼠肾脏模型，试验组以含FK506的4℃uw保存液保存大鼠离体肾脏，采用免疫组织化学、逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT-PCR）和细胞凋亡原位末端标记技术，分别检测肾脏保存2、4、8、16h组bcl-2蛋白、bcl-2-mRNA表达。肾细胞凋亡，对照组以不含FK506的4℃ UW保存液保存离体肾脏。结果FK506保存组4、8、16h组bcl-2蛋白、bcl-2mRNA表达明显高于对照组（P〈0．05）；FK506保存组8、16h组肾细胞凋亡指数明显低于对照组（P〈0．05）。结论含FK506肾保存液保存的离体肾脏中bcl-2蛋白、bcl-2mRNA表达增强。肾细胞凋亡指数降低。FK506对肾脏保存过程中的损伤具有保护作用。     

大黄灵脾颗粒对缺血再灌注急性肾损伤大鼠肾纤维化的干预作用

目的:探讨大黄灵脾颗粒对缺血再灌注急性肾损伤模型大鼠肾纤维化的影响。方法:30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常组、模型组、大黄灵脾颗粒(中药)组,每组10只,通过夹闭肾蒂45 min后恢复肾脏血流再灌注建立模型,建模成功后次日各组大鼠开始灌胃治疗,正常组和模型组灌服生理盐水,中药组给予大黄灵脾颗粒灌胃。术后12周检测各组大鼠Scr、BUN、24 h尿蛋白等生化指标;HE染色观察肾组织病理;Masson染色观察肾纤维化情况;免疫组化法检测肾组织TGF-β1和α-SMA蛋白的表达水平。结果:各组大鼠Scr、BUN差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);与模型组比较,HE染色显示中药组肾组织损伤轻于模型组,且中药组24 h尿蛋白显著低于模型组(P<0.05);Masson染色显示中药组纤维化程度较模型组明显减轻,中药组肾组织TGF-β1和α-SMA蛋白的表达水平也显著低于模型组(P<0.05)。结论:大黄灵脾颗粒可改善AKI大鼠肾脏病理,降低尿蛋白水平,抑制TGF-β1和α-SMA的表达,并减轻AKI后肾纤维化的发生。     

丹酚酸B对输尿管梗阻大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化的影响

目的:探讨丹酚酸B对输尿管梗阻大鼠肾小管上皮细胞转分化影响及作用机制.方法:雄性SD大鼠,建立单侧输尿管梗阻模型(UUO).设假手术组、模型组、治疗组(丹酚酸B 30 mg·kg-1·d-1)术后第9天处死各组大鼠.采用光镜观察肾间质纤维化、炎细胞浸润,免疫组化观察肾组织转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和Vimentin蛋白表达的变化.结果:(1)治疗组大鼠肾间质纤维化程度较模型组明显减轻;(2)UUO模型第9天时大鼠肾组织TGF-β、α-SMA和Vimentin表达明显增强,炎细胞浸润明显增加.采用丹酚酸B治疗后,肾组织TGF-β1、α-SMA和Vimentin表达的异常增强能得到有效抑制,炎细胞浸润明显减少.结论:丹酚酸B具有减轻肾组织纤维化的作用,而这一作用与其能有效抑制炎细胞浸润和TGF-β1过度表达,进一步阻押肾小管上皮细胞转分化(EMT)有关.     

冬虫夏草菌粉对5/6肾大部切除大鼠肾脏纤维化的抑制作用及机制

目的 探讨冬虫夏草菌粉对5/6肾大部切除术大鼠肾脏纤维化的抑制作用及其可能机制.方法 30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为3组:假手术组(Sham组,n=10)、5/6肾大部切除模型组(SNx组,n=10)以及5/6肾大部切除+冬虫夏草菌粉干预组(CS组,n=10).术前及术后4、8、12周分别检测大鼠体质量、尿蛋白量变化,并于术后第12周末处死大鼠,检测血尿素氮、肌酐变化,取肾组织切片行HE、Masson染色观察肾脏病理变化,免疫组化观察转化生长因子β1(TGF-β1)及其Ⅰ型受体(TβR Ⅰ)、Ⅱ型受体(TβR Ⅱ)的表达,免疫荧光观察E-c adherin、α-SMA的表达,Western印迹法检测肾脏组织TGF-β1、TβR Ⅰ、TβR Ⅱ、磷酸化(p)Smad2/3、Smad7、E钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、α平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)的表达.结果 术后CS组大鼠的体质量高于SNx组,尿蛋白量及血尿素氮、血肌酐低于SNx组.肾脏组织病理分析显示,CS组肾小球硬化、肾小管间质损伤程度均显著低于SNx组(均P＜0.01).CS组TGF-β1、TβR Ⅰ、TβR Ⅱ、p-Smad2/3蛋白表达量均显著低于SNx组(均P＜0.05),E-cadherin蛋白表达量显著高于SNx组(P＜0.05),α-SMA蛋白表达量显著低于SNx组(P＜0.05),Smad7蛋白表达量显著高于SNx组(P＜0.05).结论 冬虫夏草菌粉对5/6肾大部切除大鼠肾脏纤维化具有明显的抑制作用,其机制可能是与其抑制TGF-β1及其下游信号通路以及抑制EMT的发生有关.     

骨形态发生蛋白-7在幼年大鼠肾小管间质损伤中的表达及意义

目的：探讨单侧输尿管梗阻（UUO）幼年大鼠肾间质纤维化形成过程中骨形态发生蛋白-7（BMP-7）的表达趋势及其与转化生长因子-β1（TGF-β1）、α-平滑肌肌动蛋白（α-SMA）的相关关系;观察血管紧张素转换酶抑制剂（ACEI）和血管紧张素受体拮抗剂（ARB）的干预作用。方法：采用单侧输尿管结扎制备UUO模型。3～4周龄幼年Wistar雄性大鼠随机分为对照组、模型组和干预组。于实验第3、7、14、28天取大鼠8只处死。HE及Masson染色观察肾组织的病理改变;免疫组化半定量检测各组大鼠肾组织BMP-7、TGF-β1及α-SMA蛋白表达。了解BMP-7与TGF-β1、α-SMA、肾间质纤维化程度的关系。结果：随梗阻时间延长,模型组BMP-7表达逐渐下降,TGF-β1、α-SMA表达进行性增高,干预组BMP-7表达较模型组显著增加（P〈0.05）;TGF-β1、α-SMA表达较模型组明显减少（P〈0.05）。模型组肾小管间质TGF-β1、α-SMA表达明显增高（P〈0.05）,BMP-7表达显著减少（P〈0.05）。与模型组相比,干预组肾小管间质TGF-β1、α-SMA表达显著减少（P〈0.05）,而BMP-7表达显著增多（P〈0.05）。BMP-7与TGF-β1、α-SMA、肾间质纤维化程度成负相关（r分别为-0.844、-0.787、-0.952,P均〈0.01）。结论：BMP-7表达减少伴随着肾小管上皮细胞转分化出现,提示BMP-7可能具有维持小管上皮细胞表型作用。苯那普利联合氯沙坦可能通过下调TGF-β1、α-SMA蛋白的异常高表达,上调BMP-7蛋白的异常低表达,直接或间接负性调控肾小管上皮细胞转分化,阻止肾间质纤维化进展。     

Tacrolimus protects podocytes by up-regulating autophagy in type 2 diabetic model rats

Objective To assess the effects of tacrolimus (FK506) on podocyte in type 2 diabetic model rats and to explore the potential mechanism. Methods The model rats were fed with high fat and high sugar food and combining with a low-dose of streptozotocin (STZ). They were then randomly divided into a diabetic mellitus group (DM group) and a FK506 group. A normal control group (NC group) was also set. The rats in FK506 group were given with 0.5 mg?kg-1?d-1 FK506 for 8 weeks. The biochemical parameters were measured. The changes of renal pathology and ultrastructure of podocyte were observed by the light and electron microscopy. The expression of nephrin and LC3-Ⅱ was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results (1) Compared with those in NC group, KW/BW, systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), urinary albumin excretion rate (UAE) and creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) in DM group were significantly increased (all P＜0.05). And the KW/BW, UAE and Ccr were decreased in FK506 group compared to those in DM group (all P＜0.05), while other parameters had no significant difference (all P＞0.05). (2) Compared with those in NC group, the glomerular volume, mesangial cell proliferation and accumulation of mesangial matrix were increased, and the foot process became disorder and fusion in DM group, while these changes were significantly reduced in FK506 group. (3) Compared with that in NC group, the expression of nephrin and LC3-Ⅱ was decreased in DM group (all P＜0.05), and both of parameters were higher in FK506 group than those in DM group (all P＜0.05). Conclusion FK506 may enhance podocyte autophagy in type 2 diabetic model rats and attenuate podocyte injury.     

FK506 ameliorates proteinuria and glomerular lesions induced by anti-Thy 1.1 monoclonal antibody 1-22-3

BACKGROUND: We have previously reported that CD4 T lymphocytes and their cytokines contribute to development of Thy 1.1 glomerulonephritis (GN). FK506 is reported to suppress the production of Th1 cytokines. The aims of this study were to elucidate the role of Th1 cytokines on mesangial alteration and to examine whether FK506 is available for therapy of mesangial proliferative GN. METHODS: The effects of daily treatments of FK506 from day -5 and from day +1 of Thy 1.1 GN induction on glomerular alterations were analyzed. RESULTS: FK506 treatment with 1.0 and 0.3 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily from day 1 to day 4 significantly reduced the glomerular expression of mRNA for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma; 1.0 mg/kg BW FK506, 32.4% to the placebo group, P < 0.01) and IL-2 (55.6%, P < 0.01) on day 5. FK506 treatment from day -5 of GN induction reduced proteinuria and glomerular alteration in a dose-dependent manner. Although no side effects were detected in rats with 0.3 mg/kg BW of FK506 treatment from day +1, the treatment also ameliorated proteinuria (day 14, 3.7 +/- 0.89 vs. 19.8 +/- 12.3 mg/100 g BW/day P < 0.05) and glomerular alterations [total cell number, 63.1 +/- 3.1 vs. 80.2 +/- 7.4, P < 0.01; matrix expansion, 0.90 +/- 0.30 vs. 1.34 +/- 0.27, P < 0.05; alpha-smooth muscle actin (alphaSMA) expression; 1.20 +/- 0.12 vs. 1.96 +/- 0.29, P < 0.01] on day 14. CONCLUSION: Th1 cytokines may play an important role in the development of mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, and could be targets for therapy. FK506 might be available for clinical use.     

他克莫司对糖尿病大鼠肾组织巨噬细胞浸润、增殖及活化的影响

目的探讨他克莫司对糖尿病大鼠肾脏保护作用的机制与肾脏内巨噬细胞浸润、增殖及活化的关系。方法应用链脲佐菌素建立大鼠糖尿病模型，随机分为对照组、模型组、他克莫司0．5及1．0mg-1·kg-1·d-1给药组（模型组＋他克莫司0．5、1．0），4周后观察大鼠相对。肾质量、尿白蛋白排泄率，应用免疫组化方法，检测肾组织巨噬细胞表面标志、增殖细胞核抗原及诱生性一氧化氮合酶的表达。结果模型组＋他克莫司0．5、1．0组大鼠尿白蛋白排泄率水平明显低于模型组。免疫组化显示模型组大鼠肾组织巨噬细胞表面标志阳性、巨噬细胞表面标志阳性增殖细胞核抗原阳性及巨噬细胞表面标志阳性诱生性一氧化氮合酶细胞数阳性明显高于对照组，模型组＋他克莫司0．5、1．0组巨噬细胞表面标志阳性细胞数与模型组比较无明显差异，巨噬细胞表面标志阳性增殖细胞核抗原阳性及巨噬细胞表面标志阳性诱生性一氧化氮合酶细胞数明显低于模型组。结论他克莫司肾脏保护作用的机制可能部分与抑制肾组织中巨噬细胞增殖及活化有关。     

Synergistic effect of vincristine with tacrolimus or sirolimus in prevention of acute heart allograft rejection in the rat

The application of multiple immunosuppressive therapy for organ transplantation could enhance therapeutic efficacy, while minimizing the toxicity of individual drugs used in the regimen. In this study, the effect of the combined therapy of vincristine (VCR) with tacrolimus (FK506) or sirolimus (rapamycin, RAPA) was tested in prevention of acute heart allograft rejection in the rat. A Brown Norway (BN, RT 1(n)) to Lewis (LEW, RT 1(1)) rat combination was used in a heart allografting model. VCR was administered intraperitoneally once daily, while FK506 and RAPA were given by gavage once daily for 14 days after transplantation. There were dose-related prolongations of mean survival time (MST) to monotherapy of VCR, FK506, or RAPA. The MST in combination therapy indicated that a synergistic interaction was produced when compared with the respective monotherapies: VCR 0.05 mg/kg/day + FK506 0.5 mg/kg/day (16.00 +/- 1.79 days, P = 0.001; combination index (CI) = 0.557); VCR 0.05 mg/kg/day + FK506 1.0 mg/kg/day (29.00 +/- 10.54 days, P = 0.001; CI = 0.598); VCR 0.05 mg/kg/day + RAPA 0.2 mg/kg/day (17.33 +/- 1.97 days, P = 0.001; CI = 0.500); and VCR 0.05 mg/kg/day + RAPA 0.4 mg/kg/day (21.17 +/- 3.19 days, P = 0.001; CI = 0.838). Combination therapy of VCR and FK506 or RAPA produced synergistic effects in prevention of acute heart allograft rejection in the rat.     

黄芪对早期糖尿病大鼠肾小球整合素α3β1的影响

目的探讨糖尿病大鼠肾小球整合素α3β1的表达及黄芪对糖尿病大鼠肾脏的保护作用。方法建立链脲佐菌素（STZ）诱导的糖尿病大鼠模型，将30只雄性SD大鼠随机分为正常对照组（NC组，6只）、糖尿病模型组（DM组，8只）、氯沙坦治疗组（DL组，8只，10mg·kg^-1·d^-1灌胃）和黄芪治疗组（DA组，8只，5ml@kg^-1·d^-1灌胃）。6周末检测各组大鼠血糖、体重、肾重／体重及24h尿白蛋白排泄率（UAER）；观察肾小球病理形态及免疫组化检测肾小球整合素0．3B1的蛋白表达水平。结果糖尿病模型组大鼠血糖、肾重／体重、UAER、肾小球面积及肾小球容积均明显高于正常对照组（P〈0．01），而体重明显减轻（P〈0．01）；黄芪治疗组大鼠血糖无明显变化（P〉0．05），体重有所增加（P〈0．01），余指标均有所降低（P〈0．01或P〈0．05）。糖尿病模型组肾小球整合素α3β1表达明显低于正常对照组（P〈0.01），而黄芪治疗组其表达有所升高（P〈0．01）。结论黄芪对糖尿病大鼠肾脏有明显保护作用，其机制可能部分与上调肾小球整合素α3β1的表达有关。     

Cyclosporine or FK506 decrease mature epidermal growth factor protein expression and renal tubular regeneration in rat kidneys with ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND: Epidermal growth factor (EGF) plays an important role in tubular regeneration in kidneys with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. This study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of cyclosporine A (CsA) or FK506 on mature EGF expression and tubular regeneration in rat kidneys with I/R injury. METHODS: Two separate studies were performed. First, the expression of EGF and tubular regeneration was observed in rat kidneys with I/R injury on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Second, the dose-dependent response of EGF expression and tubular regeneration to CsA (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg) or FK506 (0.25, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) was observed in rat kidneys with I/R injury. I/R injury was induced by clamping both renal arteries for 45 min, and CsA or FK506 was injected just after release of vascular clamps. Rats were sacrificed on day 1 for evaluation of EGF expression, and on day 2 for evaluation of BudU-positive cells. Renal function, tubular injury score, EGF expression assessed by immunoblotting, levels of CsA and FK506 in whole blood, and immunostaining for BrdU was studied. RESULTS: EGF expression was maximal on day 1 (cortex, 29-fold; medulla, 31-fold compared with sham-operated controls), and renal tubular regeneration measured with the number of BrdU-positive cells was maximal on days 2 and 3 in kidney with I/R injury, and thereafter the level of EGF and the number of BrdU-positive cells decreased progressively. CsA or FK506 treatment to ischemic rat kidneys reduced the expression of EGF and the number of BrdU-positive cells in a dose-dependent manner. CONCLUSIONS: CsA or FK506 treatment delays recovery from acute tubular necrosis, and this may be associated with decreased EGF expression by CsA or FK506.