Skip to content

Study · Animal study (in vivo) · rat · 2017

11 results

Thymosin β4 alleviates renal fibrosis and tubular cell apoptosis through TGF-β pathway inhibition in UUO rat models.

Yuan J, Shen Y, Yang X, Xie Y, Lin X, Zeng W, Zhao Y, Tian M, Zha Y

BMC nephrology18 Oct 2017Cited by 26 (Europe PMC)

PMID29047363 (opens in a new tab)PMCIDPMC5648500 (opens in a new tab)DOI10.1186/s12882-017-0708-1 (opens in a new tab)PepBankPUB-29047363
Download PDFPubMedAsk about this study
Jump to 11 results

Summary

BackgroundThymosin β4 (Tβ4) is closely associated with the cytoskeleton, inflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, apoptosis, and myocardial regeneration, but the effects of Tβ4 treatment on chronic renal tubular interstitial fibrosis (CRTIF) are poorly known. This study aimed to examine the effects of Tβ4 on the renal apoptosis and the expression of transforming growth factor (TGF-β), E-cadherin, and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in CRTIF rat models.MethodsMale SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group). The pathological changes of kidney tissue and its function were assessed two weeks after UUO. In renal interstitial tissue,TGF-β, E-cadherin and α-SMA expression was detected by western blot. In tubular epithelial cells, E-cadherin and α-SMA expression was detected using Real-time qPCR and western blot. Cell apoptosis of rat renal interstitial tissue and tubular epithelial cells was evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blot.ResultsTwo weeks after UUO, no differences in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were observed between the four groups (P > 0.05). Compared to the UUO group, Tβ4 treatment decreased the 24-h proteinuria (P < 0.001) and reduced the area of pathological change (P < 0.01); this effect was more apparent in the UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group. Compared to the UUO group, a significant decrease in TGF-β and α-SMA protein expression was observed in the high-dose Tβ4 group. The level of E-cadherin protein was lower in the UUO group than the Tβ4 groups, and high-dose Tβ4 treatment further increased E-cadherin expression and improved cell apoptosis in the renal interstitial tissue. Analysis of in vitro tubular epithelial cells showed that α-SMA mRNA and protein expression decreased, while E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression increased by Tβ4 treatment. Similarly, these changes were more significant in the UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group. Tβ4 treatment improved the apoptosis of In vitro tubular epithelial cells compared with pure TGF-β stimulation, and equally, the decrease of apoptosis was more apparent in the TGF-β + high-dose Tβ4 group.ConclusionsTβ4 treatment might alleviate the renal fibrosis and apoptosis of tubular epithelial cells through TGF-β pathway inhibition in UUO rats with CRTIF.
CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study11

11 results from studies that gave the peptide. No result from this study comes from people.

  1. 01AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, blood urea nitrogen did not differ between the four groups, Tβ4 groups included, two weeks after UUO.

    In plain wordsIn rats, blood urea nitrogen did not differ between the four groups, including the groups given Tβ4.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    No significant changeBlood urea nitrogen two weeks after UUO
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Outcome group
    Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    no differences in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were observed between the four groups (P > 0.05).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  2. 02AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, creatinine did not differ between the four groups, Tβ4 groups included, two weeks after UUO.

    In plain wordsIn rats, creatinine did not differ between the four groups, including the groups given Tβ4.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    No significant changeCreatinine two weeks after UUO
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Outcome group
    Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    no differences in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine were observed between the four groups (P > 0.05).
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  3. 03AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, Tβ4 treatment decreased 24-h proteinuria compared with the UUO group, more clearly with the high dose.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, Tβ4 lowered protein in the urine compared with untreated obstructed rats.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    Decrease24-h proteinuria
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Kidney function · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Compared to the UUO group, Tβ4 treatment decreased the 24-h proteinuria (P < 0.001) and reduced the area of pathological change (P < 0.01); this effect was more apparent in the UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  4. 04AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, Tβ4 treatment reduced the area of pathological change in kidney tissue compared with the UUO group, more clearly with the high dose.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, Tβ4 reduced the area of damaged kidney tissue compared with untreated obstructed rats.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseArea of pathological change in kidney tissue
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Compared to the UUO group, Tβ4 treatment decreased the 24-h proteinuria (P < 0.001) and reduced the area of pathological change (P < 0.01); this effect was more apparent in the UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  5. 05AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 decreased TGF-β protein expression compared with the UUO group.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 lowered a fibrosis-related protein (TGF-β) compared with untreated obstructed rats.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseTGF-β protein expression in renal interstitial tissue
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Compared to the UUO group, a significant decrease in TGF-β and α-SMA protein expression was observed in the high-dose Tβ4 group.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  6. 06AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 decreased α-SMA protein expression compared with the UUO group.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 lowered a fibrosis marker (α-SMA) compared with untreated obstructed rats.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    Decreaseα-SMA protein expression in renal interstitial tissue
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Compared to the UUO group, a significant decrease in TGF-β and α-SMA protein expression was observed in the high-dose Tβ4 group.
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  7. 07AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, E-cadherin protein was lower in the UUO group than in the Tβ4 groups, and high-dose Tβ4 increased it further.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, E-cadherin protein was higher with Tβ4 than without it, most with the high dose.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseE-cadherin protein expression in renal interstitial tissue
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    The level of E-cadherin protein was lower in the UUO group than the Tβ4 groups, and high-dose Tβ4 treatment further increased E-cadherin expression
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  8. 08AnimalAnimal study (in vivo)Efficacy outcome

    In rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 improved cell apoptosis in the renal interstitial tissue.

    In plain wordsIn rats with kidney obstruction, high-dose Tβ4 improved cell death (apoptosis) in kidney tissue.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseCell apoptosis in renal interstitial tissue
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) kidney fibrosis
    Comparator
    UUO group
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    high-dose Tβ4 treatment further increased E-cadherin expression and improved cell apoptosis in the renal interstitial tissue
    1 context sentence
    Summary · context
    Male SD rats were randomized into four groups (sham group, unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) group, UUO + low-dose Tβ4 group, and UUO + high-dose Tβ4 group).
  9. 09LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In in vitro tubular epithelial cells, Tβ4 treatment decreased α-SMA mRNA and protein expression.

    In plain wordsIn cells, Tβ4 lowered a fibrosis marker (α-SMA).

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    Decreaseα-SMA mRNA and protein in tubular epithelial cells
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Tubular epithelial cells in vitro
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    α-SMA mRNA and protein expression decreased, while E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression increased by Tβ4 treatment.
  10. 10LabIn vitro (cells)Mechanism

    In in vitro tubular epithelial cells, Tβ4 treatment increased E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression.

    In plain wordsIn cells, Tβ4 raised E-cadherin, a marker of healthy epithelial cells.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    IncreaseE-cadherin mRNA and protein in tubular epithelial cells
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Tubular epithelial cells in vitro
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    E-cadherin mRNA and protein expression increased by Tβ4 treatment.
  11. 11LabIn vitro (cells)Efficacy outcome

    In in vitro tubular epithelial cells, Tβ4 treatment reduced apoptosis compared with TGF-β stimulation alone, more clearly with the high dose.

    In plain wordsIn cells, Tβ4 reduced cell death compared with cells stimulated with TGF-β alone.

    Peptide
    Thymosin beta-4 (human)
    Outcome
    DecreaseApoptosis of tubular epithelial cells under TGF-β stimulation
    Study

    ratn: not reported in source

    Tubular epithelial cells in vitro
    Comparator
    TGF-β stimulation alone
    Outcome group
    Organ injury · Kidney and urinary
    Studied dose
    Dose not stated

    Source sentences

    Summary
    Tβ4 treatment improved the apoptosis of In vitro tubular epithelial cells compared with pure TGF-β stimulation, and equally, the decrease of apoptosis was more apparent in the TGF-β + high-dose Tβ4 group.

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

  1. Version 2Current

    13 Oct 2026, 01:52 UTC

    Study results updated

  2. Version 1

    12 Oct 2026, 18:17 UTC

    First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.