The expression of stretch-activated potassium channel TREK-1 mRNA and protein of hypertrophic myocardium was measured. Using a model of hypertrophy induced by coaretation of abdominal aorta in male Wistar rats, the expression of TREK-1 mRNA and protein was detected by using semi quantitative RT PCR and Western blot respectively. At 4th and 8th week after constriction of the abdominal aorta, rats developed significant left ventricular hypertrophy. As compared to sham operated group, stretch activated potassium channel TREK-1 mRNA was strongly expressed and protein was up regulated in operation groups (P<0.05). It was concluded that the expression of TREK 1 was up regulated in hypertrophic myocardium induced by chronic pressure overload in Wistar rats.

The effects of mycophenolic acid (MPA) on high glucose-induced expression of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in mesangial cells (MC) were investigated. Rat MC were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of MPA (1.0 and 10.0 μmol/L) or MPA plus high glucose for 72 h. The expression of TGF-β and CTGF was detected by Western blot. The results showed that high glucose could induce the expression of TGF-β and CTGF in MC, but MPA could inhibit this effects. MPA did not influence the expression of TGF-β and CTGF in normal glucose. It was concluded that MPA might prevent the progression of diabetic nephropathy by inhibiting the expression of TGF-β and CTGF in MC.