Renal expression of COX-2, ANG II, and AT1 receptor in remnant kidney: strong renoprotection by therapy with losartan and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory

Chronic renal injury can be mediated by angiotensin II (ANG II) and prostanoids through hemodynamic and inflammatory mechanisms and attenuated by individual suppression of these mediators. In rats with ⅚ renal ablation (Nx), we investigated 1) the intrarenal distribution of COX-2, ANG II, and the AT1 receptor (AT1R); 2) the renoprotective and antiinflammatory effects of an association between the AT1R blocker, losartan (Los), and the gastric sparing anti-inflammatory nitroflurbiprofen (NOF). Adult male Munich-Wistar rats underwent Nx or sham operation (S), remaining untreated for 30 days, after which renal structure was examined in 12 Nx rats (Nxpre). The remaining rats were followed during an additional 90 days, distributed among 4 treatment groups: NxV (vehicle), NxLos (Los), NxNOF (NOF), and NxLos/NOF (Los/NOF). Nxpre rats exhibited marked albuminuria, hypertension, glomerulosclerosis, interstitial expansion, and macrophage infiltration, accompanied by abnormal glomerular, vascular, and interstitial CO...