Rosmarinic acid ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting the phosphorylated-AKT mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i>
Yi‐Hsien Hsieh, Jen‐Pi Tsai, Yi-Hsuan Ting, Tung‐Wei Hung, Wen‐Wan Chao
Abstract
studies were performed using the IS-stimulated NRK-52E cell line. Here, the pathological changes, collagen deposition, and mRNA and protein expression levels of profibrotic factors and fibrotic markers were found to be significantly elevated in the kidneys of UUO mice. We found that RA administration significantly ameliorated UUO-induced kidney damage by reversing abnormal serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. It was found that RA treatment decreased the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), collagen I, fibronectin, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, vimentin and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) while increasing the E-cadherin expression in both UUO kidneys and IS-treated NRK-52E cells. Our results demonstrate that RA may be a promising therapeutic agent for renal interstitial fibrosis.