Kidney Function

Authors: Kurata K, Maruyama S, Kato S, Sato W, Yamamoto J, Ozaki T, Nitta A, Nabeshima T, Morita Y, Mizuno M, Ito Y, Yuzawa Y, Matsuo S
Peritoneal fibrosis (PF) is an important complication of peritoneal dialysis therapy. The present study was performed to examine the mechanisms of PF in view of the plasminogen activator (PA)/plasmin/matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) cascade. PF was induced in tissue-type PA (tPA) deficient mice and wild-type mice by intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate. Mice were killed on day 21, and tissue samples were taken. Histopathological studies were performed. Plasmin activity, gelatinases activity, and the levels of tPA, transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), and MMP-2 mRNA were determined. Protein levels of MMP-3, tissue inhibitor of met…