Objective To investigate the effects of 1,25(OH) _(2)D _(3) on renal fibrosis associated with the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)α/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway in a rat model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). Methods A total of 54 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operation group, UUO group, and UUO plus calcitriol (3?ng/100?g) group. Renal tissue was excised for histological examination by immunohistochemistry and Western blot, and for gene expression analysis using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results 1,25(OH) _(2)D _(3) enhanced AMPKα levels, inhibited mTOR levels and slowed the development of interstitial fibrosis in kidney tissue. Compared with the UUO plus calcitriol group, UUO rats demonstrated more severe renal damage characterized by marked tubular atrophy, interstitial fibrosis and significant induction of fibrogenic transforming growth factor-β1 and increased extra-cellular matrix proteins (α-smooth muscle actin and collagen type III), and decreased E-cadherin. Conclusion Treatment with 1,25(OH) _(2)D _(3) altered the AMPKα/mTOR signalling pathway to suppress excessive fibroblast activation observed in UUO rats. This may serve as a novel mechanism to ameliorate renal dysfunction and fibrotic lesions.
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