Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on renal fibrosis

the expression of transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1) and epithelial mesenchymal transition(EMT) marker proteins in renal tissue of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR)

so as to explore the underlying mechanism on EA alleviating hypertensive renal impairment. Methods Twenty-four male SHR were randomly divided into model group

losartan group and EA group

with 8 rats in each group

and eight male Wistar-Kyoto rats were taken as the normal group. Rats in the losartan group received gavage of losartan potassium solution(3 mg/mL

30 mg·kg

(-1)

·d(-1)·d

(-1)

)

once every other day for 12 weeks. Rats in the EA group received EA stimulation at bilateral “Shenshu”(BL23) and “Geshu”(BL17)(2 Hz/15 Hz

1.0 mA)

15 min each time

once every other day for 12 weeks. The systolic blood pressure of caudal artery was measured before

and 4

8 and 12 weeks after the intervention. The 24-hour urinary protein was measured before

and 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention. Histopathological changes of the left renal tissue were observed under light mircoscope after H.E. stain. Extracellular matrix(ECM) in renal tissues was observed after periodate Schiff staining. Basement membrane and collagen fibers were observed after Masson staining with collagen volume fraction(CVF) evaluated. The expression of TGF-β1 mRNA in the right renal was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The expression of TGF-β1 and EMT marker E-cadherin

α-SMA and fibronectin(FN) proteins in the left renal tissue was measured by immunohistochemistry. Results In the model group

irregular arrangement of nephrocytes

renal tubule atrophy

lumen stenosis

ECM hyperplasia and deposition

scar and sclerosis were observed

which were relatively milder in the EA and losartan groups. Compared with the normal group

tubulointerstitium CVF

systolic blood pressure of caudal artery before

and at 4

8 and 12 weeks after the intervention

24-hour urinary protein before

and at 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention

the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA

area of TGF-β1

α-SMA and FN positive staining in renal tissues were significantly increased(P

<

0.01)

while the area of E-cadherin positive staining was significantly decreased(P

<

0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group

tubulointerstitium CVF

systolic blood pressure of caudal artery at 4

8 and 12 weeks after the intervention

24-hour urinary protein at 6 and 12 weeks after the intervention

the expression of TGF-β1 mRNA

area of TGF-β1

α-SMA and FN positive staining in renal tissues were significantly decreased(P

<

0.01

P

<

0.05)

while area of E-cadherin positive staining was significantly increased(P

<

0.01) in the losartan and EA groups. Compared with the losartan group

the area of E-cadherin was conside-rately increased(P

<

0.01)

while the area of α-SMA protein decreased(P

<

0.01) in the EA group. Conclusion EA could effectively alleviate hypertension and renal interstitial fibrosis in SHR

the mechanism of which may be related to its function in reducing the expression of TGF-β1 and inhibiting EMT in renal tissue.