[Effect of benazepril on the VEGF and MVD in the remnant kidney of 5/6 subtotal nephrectomized rats].

Objective: To explore the effect of benazepril (one of angiotesin converting enzymes) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the change of microvessel density (MVD) in the remnant kidney of rats that undergone 5/6 subtotal nephrectomy (STNx).
Methods: The male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were performed 5/6 nephrectomy to produce chronic renal failure, and randomly divided into a model group (STNx group), a STNx combined with benazepril group (Benazepril group), and a sham group that served as normal controls. Pathological changes of the remnant kidney were evaluated at the 8th week after gastric gavage. Immunohistochemistry Methods were used to examine the expression of VEGF and MVD in the remnant kidney, and the correlation was determined between VEGF, MVD and glomerulosclerosis index (GSI), tubulointerstitial score (TIS), BUN, and creatinine (Cr).
Results: UP, BUN, Cr, GSI, and TIS significantly decreased in the benazepirl group (P<0.05); and the expression of VEGF and MVD significant increased (P<0.05). The expression of VEGF was positively related to MVD (P<0.05), and there was negative correlation between VEGF, MVD and GSI, TIS, BUN, Cr (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The decrease of the expression of VEGF and MVD in the remnant kidney may be involved in the progressive remnant kidney fibrosis and renal function. Benazepril can significantly relieve the remnant kidney fibrosis and protect the renal function by increasing the expression of VEGF and MVD in the remnant kidney.