Trapidil modifies mesangial cell proliferation and collagen accumulation in anti-thymocyte serum (ATS)-induced glomerulonephritis.

This study was designed to assess whether the glomerular mesangial-cell proliferation and the increased extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation that occur in anti-thymocyte serum (ATS)-induced glomerulonephritis (GN) are affected by Trapidil, a potent antagonist for platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Fifteen male Wistar rats were divided into three groups. In group I, GN was induced by injecting a single dose of ATS. In group II, rats were given a single dose of ATS followed by daily treatment with Trapidil. In group III, the rats (controls) were treated with a single dose of phosphate buffered saline. All the rats were killed on the 10th day of the experiment. ATS induced marked mesangial cell proliferation (P < 0.01) in group I rats and Trapidil treatment (group II) significantly suppressed such proliferation (P < 0.01). Increased type III and IV collagen immunolabelling was observed in the expanded mesangial matrix in group I rats. In group II, immunolabelling for type III and IV collagen was much less than in group I. The study suggests that Trapidil therapy is effective in suppressing both mesangial cell proliferation and mesangial matrix expansion by reducing collagen accumulation.