The Effect of Telmisartan on Bone Morphogenetic Protein-7 (BMP-7) Expression in the Kidney of 8% Sodium Chloride-Treated Rats

Abstract

Excessive salt consumption is one of the hypertension factor leads to kidney disease, while telmisartan is one of antihypertensive drugs used in the therapy. Telmisartan not only blocks angiotensin receptor leads to the decrease of blood pressure, but it also activates peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ), inhibits transforming growth expression factor of beta-1 (TGFβ-1) and increases bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP-7). Whether telmisartan increases BMP-7 expression of excessive NaCl–induced Wistar rats are studied in this experiment. Twenty five male Wistars 2.5-3 months of age and 100-150 g BW rats were used in this research. They were grouped into 5, each consists of 5 rats. Group I (G I) as first negative control did not receive NaCl and telmisartan. G II as second negative control received NaCl but not telmisartan. G III, IV and V received NaCl and telmisartan 3, 6 and 12 mg/kg BW. The treatments were given every day within 8 weeks. At the day of 56 all rats were sacrificed by mean of neck dislocation and operated to take the kidney. The expression of BMP-7 was measured by immunohistochemistry technic. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. They were analyzed by parametric (ANOVA) or nonparametric (Kruskal-Wallis) test. A value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results showed that intraglomerular and extraglomerular BMP-7 protein expression were higher in telmisartan-treated Wistar rats group than negative control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, intraglomerular and extraglomerular BMP-7 protein expression were higher in 8% sodium chloride-induced and telmisartan-treated male Wistar rats than the items of negative control group.