Biomedical Research

Objective: To investigate the effect of tamsulosin on urinary calculi formation and renal function in rats.

Patients and Methods: SD rats were randomly divided into three groups, including control, model group established by Melamine (Mel) treatment, and tamsulosin group. The weight, 24 h urine volume, water intake, Mel level, Scr, BUN, UAlb, ratio of kidney to weight, as well as calculus formation rate were analysed. TNF-α and interleukin (IL)-1β levels were detected by real-time PCR and ELISA. Caspase-3 activity was measured by a commercial kit.

Results: Calculus formation rate reached 90% in model group. Body weight was reduced, while 24 h urine volume, water intake, Mel level, Scr, BUN, UAlb, ratio of kidney to body weight, as well as caspase-3 activity were increased in model group compared with those in control group. In addition, TNF-α and IL-1β contents were significantly elevated in model group compared with those in control group (P<0.05). The calculus formation rate was 40% in tamsulosin group, in which rats displayed reduced 24 h urine volume and water intake, increased body weight, declined Mel, Scr, BUN, UAlb and the ratio of kidney to weight, decreased TNFα and IL-1β levels, as well as reduced caspase-3 activity compared with rats from model group (P<0.05).

Conclusions: Mel induces urinary calculus formation and enhances inflammatory factors secretion and apoptosis, leading to renal injury. However, tamsulosin treatment suppresses Mel-induced urinary calculus formation, inhibits inflammatory factors secretion, and restrains apoptosis to improve renal function, suggesting tamsulosin might be used a potential therapeutic agent in the treatment of urinary calculus.

Author(s): Jiabi Chen, Bing Zhang, Dong Chen, Zhuang Wei
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