Comparing and combining the anti-fibrotic effects of various current and emerging treatments in mouse models of kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a clinical problem which encompasses tissue scarring (fibrosis) and can progress to organ failure if left untreated. Unfortunately, current pharmacological interventions are slow acting and target the symptoms rather than the fibrosis itself. This thesis addresses head-to-head comparisons between current and novel treatments in high salt or UUO-induced models of CKD. The results demonstrate that these novel therapies alone or in combinations provide greater anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, as well as improved renal function over the current treatments of Candesartan cilexitil and Perindopril. Hence, this thesis offers new insights into alternative treatments at reversing CKD.