Expression of the Matrix Metalloproteinases and the Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase Factors are Affected by Tetramethylpyrazine Treatment in a Renal Interstitial Fibrosis Rat Model

The purposes of this study were to establish a unilateral ureteral obstruction renal fibrosis model and determine the pathological changes in renal interstitial. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-2 after tetramethylpyrazine treatments were determined. Thirty-two female Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: a sham group, model group, tetramethylpyrazine group and valsartan group. The rats in the model group, tetramethylpyrazine group and valsartan group were operated with left ureter ligation to establish the unilateral ureteral obstruction model. Rats in the tetramethylpyrazine group were given intragastric administration 1 day before surgery The pathological changes of the obstruction renal tissues were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining. Immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were applied to detect the protein and mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2. Tetramethylpyrazine could significantly reduce the expansion and contraction of the tubular, the proliferation of renal interstitial fibrous tissue and inflammatory cell infiltration. Compared with sham group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2 were significantly increased in model group (p < 0.05). The protein and mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in tetramethylpyrazine group were lower compared to the model group (p < 0.05). Tetramethylpyrazine could relieve the renal interstitial fibrosis by inhibiting the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinase-2.