Abstract
Objective: To investigate the efficacy of Shenweifang (SWF)-containing serum on transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1-induced fibroblast-myofibroblast transition in normal rat kidney interstitial fibroblast cells (NRK-49F). Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were gavaged with one of five solutions: (a) saline; (b) saline plus low-dose SWF; (c) saline plus medium-dose SWF; (d) saline plus highdose SWF; and (e) saline plus valsartan. NRK-49F cells were treated with TGF-β1 and cultured using serum from the gavaged rats. Results: TGF-β1 treatment increased the expression of α-smooth muscle actin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, collagen I, Smad3, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) 10, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) 3 and induced abnormalities in cell morphology, cell cycle progression, and cell proliferation. Conclusions: SWF- or valsartan-containing serum corrected (or partially corrected) TGF-β1-induced abnormal changes in this in vitro system. SWF-containing serum reversed abnormalities in morphology, cell cycle progression, and proliferation in TGF-β1-treated NRK49F cells, probably by blocking the TGF-β1/Smads and TGF-β1/MAPK/JNK pathways.